IRVINE, Calif. --- UCI and Hawai'I collided at Anteater Aquatics Complex Sunday afternoon for one of the best water polo matches of the season. It took overtime to decide the Big West champion, and the Anteaters could not get past the Rainbow Wahine falling 5-4.
Both teams brought outstanding defense minimizing any opportunities throughout the match. UC Irvine (21-9, 6-1) knew Monika Eggens would be a presence for Hawai'I (21-9, 6-1) and she was netting four of its five goals in the match including the game-winner with 44 seconds to go in the second overtime period en route to capturing the tournament MVP.
Eggens cut to the net and was left all alone to stuff the ball into the lower left corner past Jillian Yocum. The Anteater goalkeeper was just as dominant as Eggens stopping 13 shots including three in the overtime periods. She finished the weekend with a save count of 12-13-13 over the three matches.
The match stayed at a one-goal distance throughout with each squad holding leads. Hawai'I was primed to end it in regulation with a 4-3 lead in the final minute. UCI maneuvered the ball around the offense until Hannah Croghan let loose a shot that eluded Hawai'I keeper Amy Carlson to tie things up at four apiece with eight seconds to go.
The 'Eaters' strong defense kept the team in the match as they had seven steals along with a pair of crucial field blocks. Kelsey Klatt had one of them along with two of the steals.
With that, the season ends for UC Irvine with a record of 21-9 and its run of four straight Big West titles is halted with it.
(1) HAWAII 5, UC IRVINE 4
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1
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2
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3
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4
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OT1
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OT2
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F
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UCI
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1
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1
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1
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1
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0
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0
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4
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UH
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1
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1
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1
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1
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0
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1
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5
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UCI goals: Hillary Estrada, Michaela Pierandozzi, Hannah Croghan, Emily Carlson
UH goals: Monika Eggens (4), Emily Carr
Saves: UCI: Jillian Yocum (13); UH: Amy Carlson (7)
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