Wagner Scoresheet (pdf) | Brown Scoresheet (pdf)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The University of Hawaii women's water polo team got off to a solid start on Friday during the opening day of the Bruno Classic at the Katherine Moran Coleman Aquatics Center. The Rainbow Wahine opened up the tournament by toppling No. 16 Wagner, and later pulling out a commanding win over host Brown.

Barcelona, Spain freshman attacker Irene Gonzalez led UH in a balanced attacked to claim the hotly-contested 12-10 victory over the Seahawks. The Rainbow Wahine reached the board first, as Riverside, Calif. junior Nikki-Marie Bell netted the opening goal at 7:02 in the first quarter, and Maple Ridge, Canada junior Danika Kotylak granted UH the 2-0 lead that proved to be just the cushion needed.

The Rainbow Wahine closed the first quarter with a 3-1 advantage and kept the Seahawks just out of reach, beginning to grow their lead in the second quarter, building an 8-5 lead after a high-scoring period.

UH assembled its greatest lead in the third at 10-6 on a Gonzalez score with 1:41 remaining in a slowed 2-2 period. Down the stretch in the fourth, the Rainbow Wahine held off a WC rally, cutting the Seahawks short after a three-goal run in the middle of the quarter, as Gonzalez snapped the scoring run, netting UH's 12th goal with 4:59 to go. Montreal, Canada sophomore goalie Ymane Hage allowed just one further score in the crucial closing minutes, granting UH the 12-10 tournament-opening victory.

The Rainbow Wahine defeated Wagner for the second time this season, after topping the Seahawks, 8-4, at the UCSB Tournament two weeks ago.
Gonzalez scored a goal in each quarter to lead UH, while Bell and Oostzaan, Netherlands freshman Femke Aan each scored two goals apiece.

The Rainbow Wahine returned to action in the nightcap, battling out a close match early with host Brown, as Corona, Calif. freshman Hannah Thompson snapped a 2-2 tie to grant UH a slim 3-2 edge at the close of the first quarter.

It was just the spark the Rainbow Wahine needed, catapulting UH into a 9-4 push in the second and third quarters to gain a 12-7 advantage leading into the final stanza. Aan led the way with a three-goal in the fourth to close out the commanding 17-10 victory, moving UH to 7-1 on the season.
Aan and Gonzalez topped the Rainbow Wahine in the second match, logging five goals each.

The Rainbow Wahine are back at it early on Saturday, opening with a 10:10 a.m. ET (5:00 a.m. HT) matchup with No. 22 Harvard, heading back to the pool for a 5:10 p.m. ET (12:10 p.m. HT) meeting with Bucknell.