Scoresheet (UC Irvine) | Scoresheet (Stanford)

STANFORD, Calif. – The No. 8 University of Hawai'i water polo team (5-3) split a pair of matches on the opening day of the Stanford Invitational on Saturday. The Rainbow Wahine defeated No. 6 UC Irvine (2-1), 9-8, in the morning at the Belardi Pool, but fell to No. 1 Stanford (5-0), 12-5, in the afternoon at the Avery Stadium.

Hawai'i opened the day with its first glimpse of upcoming Big West opposition. In a match that saw four score-ties, the Rainbow Wahine notched two crucial goals in the final period to propel them over the Anteaters. Redshirt junior Chloe Barr and sophomore Irene Gonzalez recorded three goals apiece to lead the 'Bows over UCI.

UH fell behind early in the match as UC Irvine went up 3-1 at the end of the first period. Mary Brooks notched two for the Anteaters in the first period via penalty goals, while Julie Swieca added one of her own. Rainbow Wahine redshirt junior Claire Nixon snapped the shutout with her first goal on an exclusion.

Just over a minute into the second, Gonzalez connected for a score, bringing the 'Bows within one. After a few scoreless minutes, UCI's Gabby Pierandozzi found the back of the net to advance their lead. Barr answered with her first goal, with 45 seconds left in the first half, taking Hawai'i into halftime trailing by only a single goal.

Coming out of the break, Barr and UCI's Brooks traded goals, each recording two apiece for their squads.  The Anteaters were able to go back ahead by two after Pierandozzi netted her second goal.

Relentless, Hawai'i evened the score at seven-all, courtesy of two consecutive goals via Gonzalez and sophomore Carla Abellan.
Coming down to the wire, the final period proved tense. The Anteaters broke the tie on Cambria Shockley's lone goal. However, Gonzalez followed on the next possession with her third goal, and first hat trick of the season to knot the score once again.

With 1:20 left on the clock, Nixon came through in the clutch, notching the final goal of the morning and pushin UH over the top for a final score of 9-8.

Saturday, February 4, 2017
Belardi Pool (Stanford, Calif.)

Scoring by Quarters
Hawai'i:                  1               2               4               2
UC Irvine:               3               1               3               1
UH Scoring: Chloe Barr 3, Irene Gonzalez 3, Claire Nixon 2, Carla Abellan 1
UCI Scoring: Mary Brooks 4, Gaby Pierandozzi 2, Cambria Schockley 1, Julie Swieca 1
 
In the afternoon contest, Rainbow Wahine faced the No. 1-ranked Stanford, historically their most difficult opponent. Hawai'i fell behind early and were unable to find an offensive rhythm to pull ahead.

Stanford wasted no time getting on the board, going up 3-0 on the 'Bows in the first period via scores from Jordan Raney, Makenzie Fischer and Maggie Steffens.

Rainbow Wahine sophomore Hannah Thompson opened the Hawai'i scoring, but Stanford responded with a three-score run. Redshirt senior Gabi Mantellato brought an end to the run with her lone goal. However, the Rainbow Wahine faced a four-goal deficit at halftime.

Stanford's Jamie Neushul opened the third period with a goal, ballooning their lead to five. Gonzalez countered on the next possession, but Neushul responded with her second score. Barr added a penalty shot score, but again Stanford responded via Steffens, leading the 'Bows 9-4 at the end of the third.

Stanford's defense held Hawai'i to just one goal in the fourth, while netting three consecutive goals before Abellan connected for the final goal of the match, locking the final margin of 12-5.

The 'Bows return Sunday morning, Feb. 5, for an early match against No. 20 Loyola Marymount at 6:30 a.m. HT. The final match opponent and time remains to be determined.

Saturday, February 4, 2017
Avery Stadium (Stanford, Calif.)

Scoring by Quarters
Stanford:               3               3               3               3
Hawai'i:                  0               2               2               1
Stanford Scoring: Makenzie Fischer 3, Madison Berggren 2, Jamie Neushel 2, Jordan Raney 2, Katie Dudley 1, Dani Jackovich 1, Maggie Steffens 1
Hawai'i Scoring: Carla Abellan 1, Chloe Barr 1, Irene Gonzalez 1, Gabi Mantellato 1, Hannah Thompson 1