| Scoresheet | Photo Gallery |

HONOLULU – The No. 6 University of Hawai'i women's water polo team dropped its first conference match to No. 8 CS Northridge, 7-6 Saturday night at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Complex. UH falls to a 7-5, 0-1 Big West Conference record.

The Rainbow Wahine took it down to the final seconds against Matadors (11-8, 1-0 BWC) through a thrilling Big West-opener.  With just five seconds left remaining, sophomore Chloe Barr nailed in a goal for UH to tie it 6-6 with CSUN forcing the Matadors to a timeout. Just moments later, CSUN's Madeline Sanchez lobbed one in right at the buzzer to cap a heartbreaking match for the Rainbow Wahine.

Senior Emily Carr and junior Paula Chillida Esforzado led UH with two goals each, combining for four of the Rainbow Wahine's six points. Meanwhile, Kelcy Barrott recorded a match-high three goals for the Matadors.

The Matadors opened the match with a 3-0 advantage by the start of the second quarter. However, Chillida Esforzado and sophomore Claire Nixon answered back for the Rainbow Wahine, scoring one goal apiece to cut CSUN's lead down to just one point by halftime, 3-2.

In an intense third quarter, UH and CSUN matched goal-for-goal. Following an early goal by Sanchez for the Matadors, senior Emily Carr and Chillida Esforzado combined for another pair of goals to tie it 4-4. However, CSUN was quick to respond, taking back a one-point lead going into the fourth.

The Rainbow Wahine will hit the road next to face UC Davis on March 13 for their second conference contest of the season. They are also set to compete in the Aztec Invitational in San Diego, Calif. March 14-15 hosted by San Diego State.
 
Scoring By Quarters: 
CSUN   2 1 2 2 = 7
UH        0 2 2 2 = 6
 
UH Goals: Emily Carr 2, Paula Chillida Esforzado 2, Chloe Barr 1, Claire Nixon 1
CSUN Goals: Kelcy Barrott 3, Madeline Sanchez 2, Bianca Adams 1, Katie Kammer 1
 
UH Saves: Sarah Logan 6
CSUN Saves: Kiernan Davis 10