April 28, 2006

IRVINE, CALIF. - The No. 6-ranked California women's water polo team fell to the No. 4-ranked Hawaii Rainbow Wahine, 10-8, Friday in the quarterfinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Women's Water Polo Championship, played at Anteater Aquatics Complex in Irvine. Cal dropped to 16-9, while Hawaii improved to 16-9.

Hawaii jumped out to a 6-1 lead with 5:24 left in the second period. The Golden Bears scored three unanswered goals to get within a couple of goals, but would never get closer than that. Iefke Van Belkum and Kelly Mason each had three goals for Hawaii, while Cal was led by sophomore Molly Hayes' three goals, and two goals by sophomore Vanessa Lindsey. Seniors Katie Card and Allison Gold, and freshman Melissa Wheeler, also tallied goals for the Bears.

The Rainbow Wahine advance to the semifinals where they will face No. 1-ranked USC at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Cal will face San Diego State at 12:15 p.m. Saturday in the consolation bracket. The Aztecs had fallen to USC, 11-4, on Friday.

Hawaii	4 	2 	3 	1 	-	10
Cal	1 	1 	4 	2	-	8
Scoring
Hawaii: Iefke Van Belkum 3, Kelly Mason 3,
Kristy Bagnall 2, Anna Sieprath 1,
Lisa van Raalte 1
Cal: Molly Hayes 3, Vanessa Lindsey 2,
Katie Card 1, Melissa Wheeler 1, Allison Gold 1
Saves
Hawaii: Meike De Nooy 8
Cal: Heather Stuart 4