HONOLULU, Hawaii – The 2023 women's water polo season is officially underway for the 20^th-ranked LMU Lions. The Lions opened the season with two games in Hawaii's Rainbow Invitational.

Game 1: #25 Marist 12, #20 LMU 9
 
Marialena Seletopoulou opened the season with a first quarter goal less than two minutes into the game to give LMU the early lead. After Marist responded with the next two, Sophie Kadifa tied it with a goat at the 2:47 mark. The game remained 2-2 after the opening eight minutes.
 
Marist jumped in front to begin the second quarter before Kelsey Snelgar and Seletopoulou went for consecutive goals to give the lead back to the Lions. The Red Foxes scored the equalizing goal, before Maddy Gault gave LMU the lead back on the ensuing offensive possession. Seletopoulou scored once more to give the Lions a 6-4 advantage at the half.
 
The first four goals of the third quarter were all scored by Marist players. Anna Tarantino put an end to the run with a powerplay goal. After the Red Foxes added one back, Snelgar and Seletopoulou again paired up to score back-to-back goals and tie the game at 9-all with 2:32 in the period. Marist found the back of the cage in the final minute to take a 10-9 lead heading into the fourth.

LMU could not score in the final quarter, while Marist added goals at the 6:34 and 5:13 marks to hold on for the win.
 
Madison Davis Made 10 saves in the cage for the Lions.
 
Game 2: #6 Hawaii 19, #20 LMU 6
 
The home side jumped out to a two-goal lead before Isabellla Barajas put the Lions on the board with a goal with 4:31 showing in the opening period. Barajas would add a second goal in the first and Alexandra Akritidou would add one as well, but Hawaii would carry a 5-3 lead into the second quarter.
 
After Hawaii scored the first two of the second as well, Sophie Kadifa scored LMU's lone goal of the period with 5:27 on the clock. The Wahine took a 10-4 lead into intermission.

The fourth quarter was the most-prolific scoring period of the day for both teams as 10 combined goals were scored during that eight-minute stretch. After Hawaii built up a 14-4 lead, Marialena Seletopoulou scored her first goal of the day. Seletopoulou would add one more in the period to cut it to 15-6. The Wahine built back their double-digit lead before Isabella Barajas scored back-to-back goals in the final 1:09 to make it a 16-8 game.
 
Kelsey Snelgar added a fourth quarter goal, but that would be the final score for the Lions.
 
Madison Davis faced 40 shots in the game and recorded eight saves.