HONOLULU, Hawaii – #10 LMU women's water polo gave #5 Hawaii a fourth-quarter scare on Friday night to open the Rainbow Invite. LMU outscored the Rainbow Wahine, 4-2, in the final period but could not fully erase a five-goal deficit and fell to the hosts, 11-9, to open the invite.
 
Carolina Magano opened the scoring to put the Lions ahead in the opening minute of play. After Hawaii responded with the next two goals, Yanah Gerber tied the game at 2-apiece. The Rainbow Wahine scored the last two goals of the period to take a 4-2 lead.

Hawaii added to their lead with the first two goals of the second quarter as well before Sophie DeMattia converted a powerplay to stop the run. The Lions trailed at halftime 7-4 after Gerber scored her second of the game.
 
Anna Tarantino's third quarter goal was the only scoring for LMU, who fell behind 9-5 after three periods.
 
The home team doubled up the Lions, 10-5, to start the fourth quarter. With less than four minutes remaining, Ruth Arino Ruiz scored, Magano scored, and Arino Ruiz scored again to pull the Lions within two with 2:13 to play. After Hawaii got one back, Arino Ruiz scored her third of the period to pull LMU back within two goals in the closing minute. The Lions were unable to pull any closer as time expired on the comeback attempt.
 
Alyssa Barnuevo made four saves and added two steals in the cage for the Lions.

LMU will continue play on Saturday with two games in the Rainbow Invite, against #12 Arizona State at 12:30 PM and then against Biola to close out the event.
 
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