IRVINE, Calif. – The No. 6 University of Hawai`i women's water polo team split a pair of matches today at the opening of the UC Irvine Invitational. The Rainbow Wahine (6-6, 0-2 MPSF) defeated host UC Irvine 11-7 but fell to third-ranked California 8-4.
UH opened strong against UC Irvine, edging them out 2-1 in the first quarter of the match. The Anteaters continued to tail behind UH scoring two goals but could not match the Rainbow Wahine's three. At halftime, UH held the lead at 5-3.
In the third quarter, UC Irvine cranked in three goals to catch up and held UH to two. But by the final quarter the Rainbow Wahine shut the Anteaters out 4-1, and took over for a 11-7 victory.
Sophomore Monika Eggens scored five of UH's 11 goals while senior Leonie Van Der Molen added four.
In UH's second match, California kept the team quiet in the first quarter, going on a 3-0 run over the Rainbow Wahine. They answered back in the second quarter outscoring the Golden Bears 2-1 but still lagged behind 4-2 at halftime.
At third quarter, both teams pop in one goal each, and California held a comfortable 5-3 going into the fourth. The Golden Bears shut UH out in the final, scoring three goals while holding the Rainbow Wahine to one. Unable to climb back, UH fell to California 8-4.
A team effort for UH, freshman Monique Wilson, Monika Eggens, senior Dagmar Genee and junior Carmen Eggens all added one goal each.
Next the Rainbow Wahine return to the Duke Kahanumoku Aquatic Complex for their season home-opener against fourth-ranked UCLA on March 6 at 7:00 p.m. They will be facing off for their third Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Match of the season.
Hawai`i 11, UC Irvine 7
UH 2 3 2 4 = 11
UCI 1 2 3 1 = 7
Hawai`i Scoring: Monika Eggens 5, Leonie Van Der Molen 4, Amarens Genee 2
Hawai`i Saves: Danielle Ingram 10
Hawai`i 4, California 8
UH 0 2 1 1 = 4
Cal 3 1 1 3 = 8
Hawai`i Scoring: Monique Wilson, Monika Eggens, Dagmar Genee, Carmen Eggens
Hawai`i Saves: Serena Bredin 8
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