HONOLULU – The No. 8 University of Hawai'i water polo team (9-9) hosted the No. 1 Southern Cal (21-0) on Friday evening at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. In the third match up with USC this season, the Rainbow Wahine fell, 9-8, after a late fourth quarter push propelled the Trojans over Hawai'i.

The first quarter was dominated by defense, with both squads netting a goal apiece. The Trojans got on the board first, but Rainbow Wahine redshirt junior Claire Nixon countered to even the score, 1-1. Junior goalie Ymane Hage paced the defense with three saves in the first quarter.

Hawai'i came out firing in the second, notching four goals in the period. Rainbow Wahine sophomore Carla Abellan netted two goals in the period, while senior Nikki-Marie Bell and freshman Maartje Keuning added one each. The Trojans connected on three more goals, but the 'Bows held a 5-4 advantage at the end of the first half.

The Rainbow Wahine and the Trojans battled back-and-forth in the third period, with both squads recording two goals each. Stephania Haralabidis netted two consecutive goals to put the Trojans up one, but Nixon and Bell ended the period with back-to-back goals to give the 'Bows a 7-6 lead at the end of the third.

The Trojans found their offensive rhythm in the fourth period, outscoring the Rainbow Wahine 3-1. Abellan netted Hawai'i's last goal, evening the score at eight-all after two straight USC goals. Haralabidis netted the final goal of the match, breaking the tie score on a penalty shot with 19 seconds left on the clock, sealing the Rainbow Wahine defeat.

Hawai'i returns tomorrow evening, March 18, for a match against No. 15(t) Indiana at 5:30 p.m. at the DKAC.

Scoring by Quarters
USC                        1              3              2              3
Hawai'i                    1              4              2              1
USC Scoring: Stephania Haralabidis 5, Brianna Daboub 2, Kelsey McIntosh 1, Avery Peterson 1
Hawai'i Scoring: Carla Abellan 3, Nikki-Marie Bell 2, Claire Nixon 2, Maartje Keuning 1