March 22, 2009

San Diego, Calif. - The Pacific women's water polo team started the second day of the San Diego State Aztec Invitational with a 17-4 loss to No. 4 University of Hawai'i on Sunday Mar. 22. The Rainbow Wahine improved to 12-7 with the win, while Pacific fell to 6-16 after the loss.

The Tigers fell behind quickly in the first quarter with the aggressive play of Hawai'i. The Rainbow Wahine scored six goals in the first quarter and three more in the second to take a 9-0 lead to halftime.

The Tigers came out of the break attacking the goal and scored three goals, matching the Rainbow Wahine's three goals in the third. Pacific found the back of the net one more time in the final quarter, but Hawaii score five more times to seal the victory.

Pacific's goals were spread out among the team. Sophomores Meara McCarthy (Simsbury, Conn.), Bridget Geck (Huntington Beach, Calif.), Dara Tawarahara (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Kailee Bucknum (Mission Viejo, Calif.) each netted one goal. McCarthy drew two ejections in the offensive effort.

Fellow sophomores Courtney Boettger (Stockton, Calif.) and Maggie Eicks (Houston, Texas) each drew one ejection, as did freshman Allison Kosich (Stockton, Calif.) Time in goal was split between freshman Lindsey Pengilly (Stockton, Calif.) who recorded six saves, and junior Jill Hauck (Pottsville, Penn.) who made four saves.

The Tigers play Brown University in their final game at the Aztec Invitational at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 22, at the Aztec Aquaplex in San Diego, Calif.

Scoring by Quarter:
Pacific: 0 - 0 - 3 - 1 = 4
University of Hawai'i: 6 - 3 - 3 - 5 = 17

Pacific Goals: Meara McCarthy (1), Bridget Geck (1), Dara Tawarahara (1), Kailee Bucknum (1)
Hawaii Goals: not available

Pacific Saves: Lindsey Pengilly (6 saves), Jill Hauck (4 saves)
Hawaii Saves: not available