HONOLULU – The No. 5 University of Hawai'i water polo team (12-2) will pit its skills against No. 3 Southern California (10-1) in a top-ranked matchup on Thursday at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center, then head down to San Diego for four matches over the weekend at the Aztec Invitational.
 
The Rainbow Wahine are coming off a 12-6 Big West Conference victory at home over No. 8 UC Irvine and looking to snap a 20-game losing streak in the series with the 2017 NCAA semifinalist Trojans. In the last meeting between these teams, the Rainbow Wahine fell by the slightest of margins, dropping the 9-8 match last March at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
 
This time, the Rainbow Wahine will be on the Trojans' turf, where UH last squared off with USC in a 2012, 12-6 loss. This time the 'Bows are bringing heavy firepower, led by junior attacker Irene Gonzalez, who leads the Big West in goals (2.57), steals (1.71) and assists (1.64) per game. She also tied for eighth nationally with 36 goals. She's also won 10-of-11 sprints
 
In addition, the Rainbow Wahine have been steadied in the cage by senior Ymane Hage, who has led UH to a 6.2 goals allowed average, while racking up the Big West's third-most saves (94).
 
The Trojans are fresh off receiving their only loss of the season, dropping a 9-3 tilt at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational on Feb. 25. However, USC will double-up its Big West action this week, facing UC Irvine on Wednesday night at home.
 
Freshman Paige Hauschild is the clear leader for the Trojans, logging 27 goals (2.45 GPM) thus far in 2018, coming to USC after winning gold at the 2017 FINA World Championships as a member of Team USA. Sophomore Denise Mammolito also has 17 goals for the Trojans.
 
USC has split time this season in goal between junior Amanda Longan (77 saves, 3.71 GAPG) and senior Victória Chamorro (37 saves, 2.13 GAPG), amounting to the Trojans allowing just an average of 3.1 goals per game this season.
 
The match is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. HT (5:00 p.m. PT) at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center as USC plays the first two home matches of the campaign. Live Stats will be provided by USC Athletics.
 
After meeting the Trojans, UH will head south for its final regular season tournament of the year, scheduled for matches against Sonoma State (4-9), No. 21 Harvard (7-4), No. 11 UC San Diego (13-9) and host No. 21-t San Diego State (5-8) at the Aztec Invitational, scheduled for competition Saturday and Sunday (March 10-11) at the Aztec Aquaplex.
 
UH holds a 3-0 series advantage over the SSU Seawolves and will open the tournament in a 9:00 a.m. HT match on Saturday. The 'Bows are 2-0 against No. 20 Harvard and will meet the Crimson Saturday at 11:45 a.m. HT. After topping UC San Diego 7-4 in Tempe, Ariz. last month, UH leads the Tritons 22-3 in the series and will meet Sunday at 5:00 a.m., followed by a 9:45 a.m. outing with SDSU, which UH defeated 13-4 in Irvine and lead 24-10 in the series.

Check out San Diego State's Tournament Page for additional information about this weekend's event.
 

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Thursday, March 8
Opponent: No. 3 Southern California
Live Stats: FOSH
Time: 3:00 p.m. HT
Where: Uytengsu Aquatics Center (Los Angeles, Calif.)
  2018 Aztec Invitational (San Diego, Calif.)
Match #1
Date: Saturday, March 10
Opponent: Sonoma State
Live Stats: FOSH
Time: 9:00 a.m. HT
Where: Aztec Aquaplex (San Diego, Calif.)
 
Match #2
Date: Saturday, March 10
Opponent: No. 20 Harvard
Live Stats: FOSH
Time: 11:45 a.m. HT
Where: Aztec Aquaplex (San Diego, Calif.)
 
Match #3
Date: Sunday, March 11
Opponent: No. 11 UC San Diego
Time: 5:00 a.m. HT
Live Stats: FOSH
Where: Aztec Aquaplex (San Diego, Calif.)
 
Match #4
Date: Sunday, March 11
Opponent: No. 21(-t) San Diego State
Time: 9:45 a.m. HT
Live Stats: FOSH
Where:  Aztec Aquaplex (San Diego, Calif.)