LA JOLLA, Calif. — The fifth-ranked University of Hawai'i women's water polo team advanced to the semifinals of the Triton Invitational with a thrilling 16-15 overtime victory over No. 11 UC Irvine before falling to No. 3 UCLA 14-5 on Saturday at the Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla, Calif.
UH will face Big West rival No. 7 Long Beach State in the third-place match of the Triton Invitational on Sunday at 10:10 a.m. HT (12:10 p.m. Pacific Time) at Triton Pool.
Game 1: No. 5 Hawai'i 16, No. 11 UC Irvine 15 (OT)
With the score tied 15-15 with 39 seconds remaining in the second overtime period, Ariadna Temprano Xambó drained the go-ahead penalty shot, delivering the decisive goal against the Anteaters.
Agatha Weston delivered a historic eight-goal performance which tied for second highest single-match total in program history. Weston's goal total was also the highest since Monika Eggens set the UH record with nine against Colorado State on April 10, 2011. Temprano Xambó recorded a season-high four goals, while Daisy Logtens went the distance in the cage with five saves
The match opened at a rapid pace with both teams scoring four goals in the first five minutes of play. Weston netted UH's first two goals, followed by scores from Temprano Xambó and
Alia Burlock. The Rainbow Wahine closed the period on a 3-0 run, with back-to-back goals from Weston and a strike from
Esmee Roijen.
Weston's electric first period carried into the second quarter where she scored two more goals to extend UH's lead to five and push her goal total to six. UC Irvine added three goals in the frame and the Rainbow Wahine entered halftime with a 9-7 lead.
UH began the second half with goals from Temprano Xambó and
Roni Perlman. The Anteaters scored, but Weston quickly responded with another goal. UC Irvine added another goal before Tempano Xambó found the back of the cage to secure her second hat trick of the season to give the 'Bows a 13-9 advantage.
UC Irvine stormed back in the fourth quarter, outscoring UH 4-0 to force overtime.
In the first overtime period, UH struck first with Weston's eighth goal of the contest. The Anteaters tallied a score, but Burlock found the back of the cage 22 seconds later. UC Irvine added a goal, sending the teams into the second overtime period tied 15-15. UH drew a penalty with 40 seconds left and Temprano Xambó converted to push UH ahead again. After a UCI timeout, the 'Bows' defense held off the Anteaters over the final 39 seconds, killing off a power play over the final 11 seconds to secure the win.
Game 2: No. 3 UCLA 14, No. 5 Hawai'i 5
UH was limited to 5-for-24 shooting against the Bruins, while Logtens recorded six saves in four quarters.
UCLA opened with a goal and UH quickly responded with Weston's ninth score of the day. The Bruins followed with two more goals, giving the Rainbow Wahine a 3-1 deficit early.
UCLA extended its scoring run with three goals in the second quarter to take a 6-1 advantage.
The Bruins opened the second half with two more goals before
Camille Radosavljevic converted a penalty shot to snap UH's scoring drought.
UH found some rhythm in the fourth quarter, scoring three times. Junior
Olivia Slavens netted her first goal as a Rainbow Wahine, followed by a fastball from Perlman and a skip shot from
Sienna Walker. The deficit proved too much to overcome as UCLA added six goals of their own in the final frame and UH fell to 4-2 on the season.
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