HONOLULU—The fifth-ranked University of Hawai'i women's water polo fell just short in a 14-13 shootout against No. 3 USC on Wednesday at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
The Rainbow Wahine (11-5, 4-0 Big West) were powered offensively by Ema Vernoux, who matched her season high with five goals, while Daisy Logtens recorded 11 saves to mark her fifth straight double-digit save performance and eighth on the season. UH held USC (18-2, 3-0 MPSF) to 14-for-37 shooting (.378) and 1-for-6 (.167) on the power play in a physical battle that included 28 total exclusions.
USC opened the contest with a penalty shot before the 'Bows surged for a 3-0 scoring run. Ariadna Temprano Xambó pump-faked three defenders and scored on the power play, followed by a goal from Vernoux and a cross-cage finish from Tara Logan. The Trojans converted another penalty shot, but Karly Frangieh slammed in a score off an assist from Gabrielle Doyle to give UH a 4-2 lead after the first quarter. Logtens finished the first frame with four saves and held the Trojans to 2-for-9 shooting.
The Trojans struck early again in the second quarter with a power-play goal at the 7:26 mark. UH netted back-to-back goals with a score from Vernoux on a penalty shot, followed by a strike from Agatha Weston on a power play. USC closed the half with two goals, but the 'Bows carried a 6-5 lead into halftime.
USC was awarded two penalty shots to begin the second half and converted on both to reclaim the lead. UH answered with a pair of goals as Roni Perlman delivered a strike on the 6-on-5 advantage and another penalty goal from Vernoux to complete a hat trick. The Trojans stormed back with three straight scores to gain a 10-8 lead. Vernoux continued to spark the Rainbow Wahine offense, scoring two goals in one minute to even the contest at 10-10. USC briefly regained the advantage before Doyle converted on the power play to force an 11-11 tie heading into the fourth.
Perlman found the back of the cage to begin the final frame to again give UH the lead. The Trojans found their groove offensively with a 3-0 scoring run to go back in front. At the 3:49 mark, Weston converted a penalty shot to cut the deficit to one. In the final minute, USC turned over the ball on a shot clock violation, and Raha Peiravani drew an exclusion on the ensuing possession. Weston's game-tying attempt in the closing seconds was denied, and the 'Bows came up just short in a four-quarter thriller.
UH returns to action and resumes Big West play when it faces CSUN on Friday at 6:00 p.m. HT at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
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