HONOLULU - The No. 5 Fresno State water polo team split its Saturday games in the Rainbow Invitational, first defeating No. 9 Princeton 8-7 then falling 9-5 to No. 4 Hawai'i. The Bulldogs finish the weekend going 2-1 at the Hawai'i-hosted event, and move to 6-1 on the season.
Fresno State saw its first loss of the year with its defeat by Hawai'i, solidifying its best start to a season in program history with six-straight wins to open the year.
Sophomore Hailey Andress led the 'Dogs in scoring in both games, tallying two goals in each of the games on the day.
How it happened vs No. 9 Princeton
Abbey Simshauser got the scoring started against the Tigers early in the first. Princeton scored two in a row to take the lead, but the Bulldogs settled in and took charge on the offensive front. Cynthia Rosa, Elisa Grim and Brooke Ochoa scored in the opening quarter to ride a 4-3 lead into the second.
Just one goal was scored by either team in the second as Princeton tied the game at four apiece at the break.
Andress scored her two goals of the game in the second quarter, and a third was added by Kaitlin Howarth as Fresno State's defense held the Tigers to two goals in the quarter. The 'Dogs rode a 7-6 lead into the final quarter.
Simshauser found the back of the net on the 'Dogs final goal of the game.
Paula Nieto Jasny played all 32 minutes in the cage, totaling eight saves and a steal.
How it happened vs No. 4 Hawai'i
Fresno State got out to an early 2-0 lead by the end of the first quarter with goals by Hailey Andress and Caitlyn Mossman.
Hawai'i fought back and tied the game with two goals to open the second period. Mossman scored her second of the game to give Fresno State the lead again with 2:31 left before the half. Hawai'i netted one in but Kaitlin Howarth rebuttaled with a last-second shot before the buzzer to give Fresno State a 4-3 lead at the half.
Hawai'i took over in the second half, outscoring the Bulldogs 4-0 in the third quarter. Fresno State trailed 7-4 heading into the final quarter.
Fresno State was outscored 2-1 in the fourth and was unable to complete the comeback against the Warriors, ultimately falling 9-5.
Up Next
Fresno State heads down to San Diego for the Triton Invitational, a three-day event hosted by UC San Diego. In a bracket-play tournament, the Bulldogs will first face LMU on Friday, Feb. 2. The tournament central is available here.