Scoresheet | Photo Gallery |

HONOLULU – The No. 6 University of Hawai'i women's water polo team (16-8, 3-1 Big West Conference) opened the first round of the 2015 Big West Women's Water Polo Tournament defeating No. 11 Long Beach State, 7-5, Friday night at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Complex.  UH will face third-seeded No. 10 CS Northridge, Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in the semifinals.
 
Paula Chillida Esforzado led the Rainbow Wahine with a pair of goals in the fourth quarter while goalkeeper Ymane Hage posted a staggering eight saves in just the first half of the match.
 
Sophomore Chloe Barr gave UH an early advantage in the first quarter after finding the net within the first three minutes of play. The next goal didn't come until midway through the second period after LBSU's Justine Morgan scored to tie it 1-1. However, Taylor Molde was quick to respond for the Rainbow Wahine, giving UH back the lead 2-1 by halftime.
 
Just over a minute into the third, Mantellato Dias extended UH's lead to 3-1. But following three-straight LBSU goals topped off with a converted penalty shot by Kayla Robert, the 49ers recovered from a two-point deficit to steal the lead 4-3. After regrouping with a timeout shortly after, Claire Nixon hammered one in to tie it again 4-4 but the Beach answered back with a goal by Christina Kotsia, taking a 5-4 lead to end the quarter.
 
In the final period, the Rainbow Wahine came back to shut out the Beach on a 3-0 run to win it 7-5. After Chillida Esforzado tied it 5-5, senior Caity Lopes da Silva followed up with a quick backhanded shot to take back the lead 6-5. Upon the final two minutes of the match, Chillida Esforzado scored the third-straight for UH and the Rainbow Wahine never looked back.
 
The Big West Women's Water Polo Tournament continues Saturday evening as top-seeded UC Irvine takes on fifth-seed UC Davis at 5:45 p.m. followed by UH's match-up with third-seeded CSUN. The conference tournament wraps up on April 26.
 
Match 2 - No. 3 Hawai'i vs. No. 6 Long Beach State
Friday, Apr. 24, 7:30 p.m.

Teams	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	OT1	OT2	SD	Final
No. 3 Hawai'i	1	1	2	3	-	-	-	7
No. 6 Long Beach State	0	1	4	0	-	-	-	5

 
 
 
 
 
UH Scoring: Gabi Mantellato Dias 1, Claire Nixon 1, Caity Lopes da Silva 1, Paula Chillida 2, Taylor Molde 1, Chloe Barr 1
UH Saves: Ymane Hage8, Sarah Logan 1
 
LBSU Scoring: Rachel Cretcher 1, Kayla Robert 1, Justine Morgan 1, Christina Kotsia 2
LBSU Saves: Alexis Butler 3