IRVINE, Calif. - No 11. UC Irvine women's water polo team fell to No. 5 Hawai'i, 11-6, on Saturday afternoon at Anteater Aquatics Complex to advance to the seventh place game of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational tomorrow morning.
The Rainbow Wahine netted two quick goals to open the first period and take an early lead. The 'Eaters got one back before Hawai'i added three more to increase their lead, 5-1. UCI got one back before the horn to cut the deficit, 5-2, at the end of one. The Anteaters outscored the Rainbow Wahine, 2-1, in the second frame to pull within two, 6-4, at the half. Each team only netted one in the third to leave UCI down, 7-5, heading into the fourth. Hawai'i outscored the 'Eaters 4-1 in the final frame to seal their victory, 11-6.
BY THE NUMBERS: Juniors Sara Naulty and Annabelle Mundelius led the 'Eaters with two goals each. Junior Ella Walker recorded seven saves.
Sydney Hagan and Michelle Urkov each added one tally.
Ariadna Temprano Xambó led the Rainbow Wahine with four goals.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The Rainbow Wahine converted on their first possession of the game to take an early 1-0 lead. Michelle Urkov was whistled for an exclusion, which led to a power play goal for Hawai'i at the 4:12 mark. The 'Eaters answered on the next possession with a goal from Annabelle Mundelius to make it 2-1 at the 3:57 mark. Hawai'i found the back of the net at the 3:36 mark before adding another tally on the man advantage to widen the gap, 4-1. The Rainbow Wahine netted one more before Urkov capitalized on a powerplay, with help from Lauren Hett, to end the quarter with Hawai'i leading 5-2.
Hawai'i netted the first goal of the second period at the 5:10 mark to pad their advantage, 6-2. Sara Naulty converted on the man advantage, with help from Pippa Heaver, to cut the deficit, 6-3, at the 4:32 mark. Sydney Hagan added a tally with 1:46 remaining to put the 'Eaters within two, 6-4, at the half.
Naulty capitalized on the man advantage, with help from Hett, at the 6:05 mark to put the Anteaters within one, 6-5. Hollis Munchoff was whistled for an exclusion, which led to a power play goal from the Rainbow Wahine at the 0:43 mark to extend their lead, 7-5, heading into the final frame.
Mundelius took an exclusion, which led to a power play goal for the Rainbow Wahine at the 6:40 mark. Hawai'i netted another to increase their advantage, 9-5, at the 6:00 mark. Mundelius converted on the man advantage, with help from Madi O'Hara, at the 5:36 mark. Vivian Bailey was whistled for an exclusion, which led to a goal with a man up for Hawai'i to pad their lead, 10-6, at the 3:38 mark. The Rainbow Wahine added one more before the horn to seal their win, 11-6.
UP NEXT: The 'Eaters will face the loser of game six of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, No. 7 Long Beach State or No. 13 Fresno State, at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Feb. 15, at Anteater Aquatics Complex.
