Women’s Water Polo Drops Sudden Death Heartbreaker At Hawai’i

Saturday, March 15

Manoa, Hawaii

9 p.m.

Long Beach State University

11-9, 2-1

Hawai'i

13-3, 3-0

Long Beach State

Hawai'i

Photo by: Luiza Moraes

Women’s Water Polo Drops Sudden Death Heartbreaker At Hawai’i

3/15/2025 10:57:00 PM | Women's Water Polo

Box Score

Freshman Rita Gurri Capel tied the game with 28 seconds left to take the game into overtime.

By: Luiza Moraes - Athletic Communication Assistant

HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Down by two with one quarter left, No. 6 Long Beach State held No. 4 Hawai'i scoreless to tie the game on a Rita Gurri Capel shot and take the game into overtime at 7-7. After another tie, the Rainbow Wahine scored on a counterattack to defeat the Beach, 9-8.

Hawai'i (13-3, 3-0 Big West) started the game with a backhand goal in the first play and followed by a penalty shot goal to open a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Chiara Amoroso got Long Beach State on the board after a powerplay goal but a late goal by the 'Bows closed the first quarter with the hosts leading 3-1.

The second quarter of the game saw a lot of action and both goalies working to help their defenses. Senior Martina Cardona scored one to close the gap after a timeout and the Beach trailed Hawai'i 3-2 at half.

Long Beach State (11-9, 2-1 Big West) tied the game early into the third with Elisa Portillo scoring her first of the day. The Rainbow Wahine scored three unanswered goals to extend their lead 6-3. Portillo added another one to shorten the gap but the 'Bows answered quickly. Portillo's hat trick put the Beach back in the game carrying momentum into the fourth.

Holding the 'Bows scoreless for the last eight minutes of regulation, Amoroso and Gurri Capel both scored to tie the game in seven and Chelsea Oliver made a big stop to take the match into overtime.

The Rainbow Wahine got on the board quickly to take the lead in the first overtime period, but Cardona tied the game, 8-8. In the second period both teams played strong defense and forced another overtime period.

After winning the sprint, the 'Bows stole the ball and scored on a counterattack to win the game in sudden death and stop the Beach winning streak.

The Beach will head back to the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center to host CSUN in Big West play Saturday March 22. Ball drops at noon with live stats provided by thefosh.net.