IRVINE, Calif. — The second-ranked University of Hawai'i women's water polo team returned to action with an 18-4 win over Pomona-Pitzer in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational on Friday at the Anteater Aquatic Complex in Irvine, Calif.
Senior Alba Bonamusa Boix led the team in scoring with four goals in the match, the fourth time this season that she has scored at least four goals in a game, and added three assists. UH's defense racked up a season-high 21 steals led by senior Lucia Gomez de la Puente with four. Graduate student Emma Gurasich and freshman Daisy Logtens split time at goalie and combined for eight saves while helping UH improve to 9-1.
Junior Jordan Wedderburn posted her first hat trick of the season, Bernadette Doyle added two goals and three assists, and Gomez de la Puente and Bia Mantellato Dias each scored two goals.
The Sagehens opened the scoring by capitalizing on a power-play opportunity at the 6:19 mark of the first quarter. The Rainbow Wahine answered back by scoring four goals during the next 1 minute and 51 seconds of play. Four different 'Bows scored during that stretch, and each team would tack on another goal to end the quarter with UH leading 5-2. Gomez de la Puente scored the first and last goal of the quarter for the Rainbow Wahine.
The 'Bows continued their attack in starting the second quarter with a 5-0 run. Pomona-Pitzer scored with 58 seconds left in the quarter to end the scoring run, but UH sophomore Roni Perlman scored a goal shortly after to cap the electric first half. Gurasich got the start at goalie and recorded three saves and the 'Bows entered the half with a commanding 11-3 lead.
The Rainbow Wahine continued to pull away led by a defense that was on lockdown in recording 21 steals, surpassing the 18 steals the 'Bows had against Princeton in the Rainbow Invitational. Logtens defended the net in the second half and allowed just one goal on seven Pomona-Pitzer shot attempts.
UH scored seven goals in the second half to secure the victory over the Sagehens.
The Rainbow Wahine will next play No. 12 Long Beach State on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time (8:30 a.m. Hawai'i Time) at Corona del Mar High School. The 'Bows will play another game later in the day with the time and opponent to be determined after the morning results.
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