Box Score IRVINE, Calif. - In a neck and neck battle, the fourth-ranked University of Hawai'i women's water polo team fell to No. 8 UC Irvine, 7-6, on Friday night at the Anteater Aquatics Complex. Alba Bonamusa Boix led the way for the Rainbow Wahine (14-5, 2-1) netting two goals. For the Anteaters (15-8, 2-1), Tara Prentice recorded two goals, one assist and two steals.
 
In the opening frame, senior Femke Aan got Hawai'i on the board first, finding the back of the net at the 6:40 mark. UH's gritty defense tallied four blocks and one steal in the frame, but UC Irvine's offense fell through, scoring two straight before Irene Gonzalez netted her first goal to end the period tied, 2-2.
 
The Anteaters stringed a pair of goals to start the second period, while the Rainbow Wahine struggled to find the back of the net, shooting 0-5 before Elyse Lemay-Lavoie added the lone goal to keep Hawai'i within reach heading into halftime.
 
Right of out of the gates, the 'Bows connected on their first possession as van Rossum put through her 13^th goal of the season at the 7:32 mark to tie everything up at 4-apiece. UH held UC Irvine scoreless in the frame.
 
After both teams traded a pair of goals, the Anteaters closed the period on a 2-1 scoring run. Bonamusa Boix added her two goals in the final eight minutes, but the late comeback fell short.

In the cage, Molly DiLalla got the start finishing with four saves, before freshman Bridget Layburn entered the match during the second half, also finishing with four saves. 
 
Next up, the Rainbow Wahine will travel to Long Beach State this Sunday for their final regular season road game, with the first sprint at 9:00 a.m. HT.