IRVINE, Calif. — Two hat tricks helped power the fifth-ranked University of Hawaii women's water polo team to an 11-9 win over No. 13 Fresno State in the fifth-place match of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational on Sunday at the Anteater Aquatics Complex in Irvine, Calif.
UH sophomore
Ema Vernoux posted her third hat trick of the season and freshman Ariadna Temprano Xambó added her fourth and the Rainbow Wahine (7-3) completed a 2-1 weekend in the tournament.
Agatha Weston contributed two goals and two assists and
Gabrielle Doyle assisted on three goals.
The 'Bows went on a 5-1 run in the third quarter to take control and goalkeeper
Daisy Logtens protected the lead on her way to finishing with 11 saves in the third double-figure performance of her junior season.
UH converted on three of five power-play opportunities while holding Fresno State (8-7) to a 1-for-7 showing and the 'Bows improved to 7-0 in the all-time series with the Bulldogs.
The teams traded goals in a 3-3 opening period. The Bulldogs struck first and Weston answered with a penalty shot for the 'Bows. Vernoux scored off of assists from Doyle and Weston to tie it up twice more and the teams were even after the first eight minutes.
The defenses took over in a second quarter that went scoreless for the first 7:55. Logtens came up with three saves in the period and Weston had two field blocks and a steal. The match remained tied until
Asimina Klapsianou drew a foul and
Tara Logan converted on the power play with five seconds left to send UH into halftime with a 4-3 lead.
Fresno State tied it again with a power play goal early in the third quarter, but Vernoux completed her hat trick and Doyle posted her third assist with a feed to
Sienna Walker, who gave UH a 6-4 lead. Temprano Xambó scored UH's next two goals and Klapsianou added another and the 'Bows opened up a 9-5 lead.
Fresno State scored twice in the first three minutes of the fourth quarter to tighten the gap and prompt a UH timeout. Weston scored on a power play and Temprano Xambó completed her hat trick to put UH up 11-8 with 2:03 left. Fresno State scored the final goal of the match but Logtens ended any comeback hopes with her 11th save.
The Rainbow Wahine will return to Irvine to open the Big West season with a matchup against UC Irvine on Feb. 27 at the Anteater Aquatics Complex. UH enters the conference season as the two-time defending Big West champion.
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