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Gault vs. LBSU semifinals
9
Long Beach State LBSU (3-7, 1-3 Conf)
16
Winner Hawai'i HAW (9-1, 3-1 Conf)
Long Beach State LBSU
(3-7, 1-3 Conf)
9
Final
16
Hawai'i HAW
(9-1, 3-1 Conf)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Long Beach State LBSU 2 1 5 1 9
Hawai'i HAW 3 5 4 4 16

Game Recap: Women's Water Polo |

Rainbow Wahine Advance to Championship

SAN DIEGO - Led by redshirt sophomore Libby Gault, the top-seeded University of Hawai'i water polo team defeated No. 5 Long Beach State 16-9 in the semifinal of the Big West Tournament on Saturday. In addition to the big win, the Rainbow Wahine recorded their highest goal tally in a game this season. 

Freshman Lucia Gomez de le Puente controlled the possession in the first sprint and Gault fired 30 seconds into the game to score the opening goal. The Beach retaliated with two goals, yet freshmen Lot Stertefeld and Olivia Kistler continued to put the pressure on offensively with a goal each.

Giving the 'Bows some leeway, Gault went on a 2-0 run to start the second frame. Long Beach scored, attempting to make a run, but was unsuccessful as the Rainbow Wahine, led by Carmen Baringo, ended the half on a 3-0 run including two penalty shots by Stertefeld and freshman Lara Luka.

Luka began the second half with two goals in a row for Hawai'i. The Beach fought back and slotted 5 goals in the third frame. However, sophomore Emma van Rossum and redshirt junior Lalelei Mata'afa battled to maintain the lead.

In the final period, Gault scored her fourth goal of the game. Long Beach then matched with one goal. The Rainbow Wahine were not finished. Hawai'i ended the game with a 3-0 run, including a significant goal made by senior Mahairi Nurthen, her first of the season.

At the final horn, goalie Molly DiLalla completed the game with five saves. Gault led the team in scoring with four goals. Luka was close behind and finished with a perfect shooting of 3-0. For the first time this season, all four sprints were won by UH. The Rainbow Wahine outscored the Beach in the first quarter 3-2 and 5-1 in the second. Long Beach State outscored Hawai'i in the third 4-5 but UH ended strong 4-1 in the fourth.

Junior Mhairi Nurthen recorded her first goal of the season for the Rainbow Wahine in 2021. Her goal was the final goal of the game and capped the rout of the Beach.

In the regular season, UH swept LBSU 10-5 and 9-5 at home. Mata'afa led the team in scoring with three goals in the first match while Gomez de le Puente led the second game with three goals as well. The Wahine have beaten Long Beach State in seven-straight games.

The 'Bows will next play in the championship between the winner of UC San Diego and UC Irvine on May 2 at 9 a.m. HT and streamed on BigWest.TV.
 
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