IRVINE, Calif. - The No. 11 Pacific women's water polo team was edged by No. 7 Hawai'i, 9-7 Friday at the Tigers' opening game of the Barbara Kalbus Invitational. Kyra Christmas and Viktoria Szmodics each scored twice while Truly Dorland, Mariana Duarte, and Rachel Krieger also scored.
Alexis Hollinrake recorded six saves in goal with one steal. Hawai'i goalie Ymane Hage posted eight saves with three steals.
Christmas unwrapped the scoring with a 6-on-5 goal 2:25 into the first quarter, but Chloe Barr answered for Hawai'i on the ensuing possession. Christmas set up a goal from Krieger, who finished for a 2-1 lead, but immediately Femke Aan put home her own rebound to tie the game at 2-2. Nikki-Marie Bell gave the Wahine their first lead at 3-2 headed into the second.
Szmodics tied the game midway through the second quarter, but Bell tallied again as Hawai'i went back in front, 4-3. Christmas' second goal of the game tied the score once more as the two sides went into halftime knotted at 4-4.
Gabi Mantellato opened the scoring in the third quarter before Szmodics tallied 19 seconds later to tie the game at 5-5. But Barr answered right back for the Wahine. Both defenses locked down until Aan scored her second goal of the game, putting Hawai'i up two goals at 7-5. Bell capped off her hat trick with 1:03 to go in the third, as the tiger trailed 8-5 headed into the final period.
Dorland scored with 4:26 to go, closing the margin to 8-6, but Barr struck again on the Wahine's next possession. Duarte brought Pacific within 9-7 with 2:00 to play, but the Tigers were whistled for an offensive foul and the Wahine posted a defensive stop to keep the Tigers at bay.
Hawai'i topped Pacific for the second time this season, as all of Pacific's losses this year have come to teams in the Top 11. Pacific falls to 5-5, while Hawai'i improves to 8-4 on the year.
Pacific will face No. 20 Loyola Marymount on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Corona del Mar Pool. The Tigers will play again Saturday at 5:15 with a win, or at 4:00 p.m. with a loss.
