HONOLULU—The sixth-ranked University of Hawaii women's water polo team jumped out to an early lead and held off UC San Diego in a 13-9 victory in its home opener on Saturday at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.
UH sophomore Ema Vernoux scored a season-high five goals while goalkeeper Daisy Logtens came up with 10 saves and three steals to help the Rainbow Wahine improve to 10-3 overall and 3-0 in Big West play. The 'Bows extended their conference winning streak to 23 matches.
UH stuck quickly with three goals in the first four minutes of play. Vernoux converted a penalty shot just 20 seconds into the match, followed by scores from Gabrielle Doyle and another from Vernoux on the power play. UCSD (7-8, 2-2 Big West) tallied a pair of goals, but the Rainbow Wahine responded with back-to-back scores from Sienna Walker, and UH held a 5-2 lead after the opening quarter.
The 'Bows carried the momentum into the second frame as Ariadna Temprano Xambó found the back of the cage on a power play. The Tritons added a goal, but UH answered once more with goals from Agatha Weston and Temprano Xambó. UCSD scored in the final possession of the half with one second left to trim UH's lead to 8-4 at the halfway mark.
Both teams traded goals in the third quarter, each scoring three times. The Tritons started second-half action with a goal before Vernoux responded with her third goal of the match to complete a hat trick. UCSD scored another goal, and UH returned the favor with back-to-back scores from
Raha Peiravani and Vernoux. The Tritons found the back of the cage with 2:04 remaining in the third quarter, and UH maintained its four-point advantage heading into the final quarter.
UCSD added two goals in the final frame, but Vernoux netted her fifth goal of the match, and Doyle tallied another score to help UH secure the victory.
UH heads to Northern California for a two-game road trip starting with a Big West matchup at UC Davis on March 13. The 'Bows then face No. 4 California on March 15 in Berkeley, Calif.
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