Wahine rally, finish seventh at NCAAs

After a slow start, the University of Hawaii water polo team surged to a 13-8 win over UC San Diego in the seventh-place match in the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Championship on Sunday in Stanford, Calif.

The Rainbow Wahine fell behind 5-2 after the first quarter, then outscored the Tritons 10-2 in the second and third periods to pull away at Stanford’s Avery Aquatic Center.

UH’s three seniors accounted for six goals and the Rainbow Wahine closed the season at 19-10. Emily Carr scored a season-high three goals, Zoe Respondek matched her season high with two and Caity Lopes da Silva had one in their final college match.

"I’m glad the team came back … We could have crumbled, but we pulled it together," UH coach Maureen Cole said. "The seniors played a good game. Em Carr had a hat trick and Zoe, who is typically the ball-handler and passer, scored a couple goals, so that was awesome."

Junior Gabi Mantellato Dias also posted a hat trick, sophomore Chloe Barr had two goals and juniors Claire Nixon and Paula Chillida Esforzado scored one each.

UH goalie Sarah Logan made eight saves and the Wahine held UCSD to one goal in each of the final three periods.

Trailing 6-3 in the second quarter, UH ran off three unanswered goals to catch UCSD before halftime. Mantellato Dias gave UH its first lead 46 seconds into the second half. Respondek and Carr extended the run to 6-0 in the third quarter and UH remained in control.

"I don’t think anybody really wants to play after they lose the first round, but to pick ourselves up in NCAAs and finish with a win was definitely good," Cole said.

"Winning the Big West championship and the whole season, it was a successful season for sure for the ‘Bows. But I think everyone on the team will just remember the special moments along the way because there were a lot of them."

Punahou graduate Lauren Boyer led UCSD (19-21) with her fifth hat trick of the season and Courtney Miller, also a former Buffanblu standout, had 10 saves in goal for the Tritons.

Tournament host Stanford won the national championship with a 7-6 win over UCLA, scoring on a penalty shot with 11 seconds left.