HONOLULU — Bernadette Doyle scored the game-winning goal in sudden death to lead the third-ranked University of Hawai'i water polo team to a 9-8 victory over sixth-ranked Long Beach State on Saturday at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

UH (13-3, 3-0 Big West) improved to 3-0 in overtime this season in the rematch of last year's Big West Championship final. Doyle's game winner was UH's first golden goal since goalie Bridget Layburn scored at the buzzer in a 9-8 win over California on March 25, 2023.

Ema Vernoux scored at least three goals for the 12th time in her freshman season, and Doyle earned herself a hat-trick on the game-winning shot.

UH started the game with two straight goals to gain the early advantage. Jordan Wedderburn scored a flashy back-handed goal in the first 30 seconds of the contest, followed by a goal from Vernoux, who converted a penalty shot. Long Beach State netted a goal, but Silvanne Slot found the back of the net with 41 seconds left to extend the lead.

Long Beach State scored the only goal of the second quarter, and the 'Bows held a 3-2 lead at halftime.

The Beach tacked on another goal to begin the third quarter, but the Rainbow Wahine responded with a 3-0 scoring run. Doyle found the back of the net on a power play opportunity and Wedderburn scored her second goal of the match.

Vernoux cashed in her second goal of the game and earned a hat-trick on another penalty shot. Long Beach State tallied two goals in the quarter and UH entered the fourth with a 7-5 lead.

The Beach found the back of the net twice in the fourth quarter to send the match to overtime.

Doyle stripped the ball from goalie Chelsea Oliver, and scored the first goal of the overtime period to give UH an 8-7 advantage. Long Beach State tied the game with a goal 18 seconds later.

Both teams went scoreless in the second overtime period and the match went into sudden death.

In the opening moments of sudden death, Doyle had a clear path to the goal and skipped the ball into the net to secure the victory and help UH improve to 13-3 on the season.

The Rainbow Wahine will take a break from Big West action to host Pacific on Saturday, March 22, at 6:00 p.m. HT at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

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