DAVIS, Calif. – The No. 8 University of Hawai'i women's water polo team (14-11) battled to overtime, but ultimately fell 8-7, in the 2017 Big West semifinals after a hard-fought battle against No. 12 Long Beach State (18-11) on Saturday, April 29 at the Shaal Aquatics Center.

The third-seeded Long Beach 49ers started the match strong, taking a two-score lead over the second-seeded Rainbow Wahine at the end of the first period. Although LBSU played an opening round game, the Rainbow Wahine were sitting on a first-round BYE and were playing their first match since April 15.

Hawai'i got their offense rolling in the second, netting four goals in the period. Sophomore Irene Gonzalez and redshirt junior Claire Nixon combined for three consecutive goals to start the period, giving the 'Bows a 3-2 advantage. However, LBSU connected on back-to-back goals to regainthe upper hand. Hawai'i redshirt junior Chloe Barr knotted the score at four-all, but again the 49ers quickly responded, dealing the Rainbow Wahine a one-score halftime deficit.

Defense was the name of the game in the third period, as Hawai'i netted the lone goal late on a Maartje Keuning goal, again tying the score into the fourth period, 5-5.

The fourth was a back-and-forth battle with both squads netting two goals apiece. Nixon and sophomore Femke Aan connected on one goal each for the Rainbow Wahine, but they couldn't shake the 49ers, as Beach responded with a pair of their own, forcing a seven-all tie at the end of regulation, sending the match into overtime.

The 49ers broke the tie score in the closing seconds of the first overtime period while holding the Rainbow Wahine scoreless throughout both overtime periods, as the 'Bows fell to Long Beach, 8-7, in the Big West Tournament semifinals.

Hawai'i returns to action tomorrow for the third-place match against fourth-seeded UC Davis at 9:00 a.m. HT at the Shaal Aquatics Center.

Scoring by Quarters
Long Beach State      2              3              0              2              1              0
Hawai'i                        0              4              1              2              0              0

Long Beach Scoring: Christina Kotsia 2, Tori Morrissey 2, Alexandra Massier 1, Marilia Mimidi 1, Raney Remme 1, Virgina Smith 1
Hawai'i Scoring: Irene Gonzalez 2, Claire Nixon 2, Femke Aan 1, Chloe Barr 1, Maartje Keuning 1