FRESNO, Calif.—The fourth-ranked University of Hawai'i women's water polo team closed out the Fresno State Polopalooza with an 11-10 victory over No. 15 Michigan on Sunday at the Fresno State Aquatics Center in Fresno, Calif.
Ema Vernoux cut through the Fresno fog to record her second hat trick in three games with a team-high four goals, while freshman Ariadna Temprano Xambó netted three goals to earn her first career hat trick. Daisy Logtens went the distance in the cage and finished with 11 saves.
UH started strong with three goals in the first frame. Temprano Xambó opened the scoring at the 6:31 mark before Michigan responded. The 'Bows answered with a strike from Gabrielle Doyle and Vernoux on a penalty shot to take a 3-1 lead after one.
Vernoux continued to capitalize on Wolverine miscues in the second quarter, converting on a power play at the 7:18 mark, followed by another penalty shot to complete the early hat trick. Michigan found the back of the cage before UH countered with back-to-back goals from Temprano Xambó on a floater and Doyle on a fast break. The Wolverine tallied another goal and the Rainbow Wahine entered halftime with a 7-3 lead.
Defense dominated early in the third period, with no goals scored in the first 4:56 of the half before Michigan struck twice.
Roni Perlman responded with a power play goal for her first of the contest. The Wolverines scored with seven seconds left in the quarter, but Vernoux responded with a goal five seconds later to give UH a 9-6 advantage.
Michigan opened the fourth quarter with a goal, but the 'Bows responded once again as Temprano Xambó tallied her third goal to secure her hat trick.
Raha Peiravani followed by powering through her defender for a key score that proved to be the difference as Michigan closed the match with three consecutive goals. UH held on to improve to 2-1 on the season.
UH resumes action at the Triton Invitational from Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla, Calif. Opponents and match times will be announced at a later date.
#WahineWP
