The University of Hawai’i women’s water polo team advanced to the semifinals of the Triton Invitational after a 16-15 overtime win against No. 11 UC Irvine on Saturday at Canyonview Pool in La Jolla, California.
With the match tied at 15 in the second overtime period and only 39 seconds remaining, Ariadna Temprano Xambó scored a penalty shot that secured the victory for Hawai’i.
Agatha Weston had a standout performance, scoring eight goals. This achievement ties her for the second highest single-match goal total in program history and is the most by a Rainbow Wahine player since Monika Eggens set the record with nine goals against Colorado State on April 10, 2011. Temprano Xambó also contributed four goals, while Daisy Logtens played as goalkeeper and made five saves.
The game started quickly with both teams scoring four times within the first five minutes. Weston scored Hawai’i’s first two goals, followed by Temprano Xambó and Alia Burlock. The Rainbow Wahine finished the opening period with three unanswered goals from Weston and Esmee Roijen.
Weston continued her strong play into the second quarter, adding two more goals to give Hawai’i a five-goal lead and bringing her personal tally to six. UC Irvine responded with three goals before halftime, but Hawai’i led 9-7 at the break.
In the third quarter, Temprano Xambó and Roni Perlman each scored for Hawai’i. After an Anteaters goal, Weston added another score before Temprano Xambó completed her second hat trick of the season to put Hawai’i ahead 13-9.
UC Irvine came back in the fourth quarter by outscoring Hawai’i 4-0 to tie the game and force overtime.
During overtime, Weston scored her eighth goal to give UH an early advantage. UC Irvine equalized before Burlock put UH back in front briefly; however, UCI tied it again heading into double overtime at 15-15. With less than a minute left in double overtime, UH drew a penalty which Temprano Xambó converted for what would be the winning goal. After a timeout by UCI, Hawai’i’s defense prevented any further scoring—including killing off a power play in the final seconds—to secure their place in the semifinals.
Hawai’i will next face No. 3 UCLA in semifinal action at Triton Pool later today.
