As the seconds ticked down in the 2023 Big West water polo championship, Hawaii called timeout to set up a golden opportunity to clinch its fifth BWC title.
But with UH up a player on a power play in a tie game, UC Irvine goalkeeper Erin Tharp denied Bia Mantellato Dias’ shot to win at the regulation buzzer.
UH had some untimely defensive lapses in overtime and the Anteaters went on to prevail 10-9 in Santa Barbara, Calif., the second straight year they defeated the Rainbow Wahine in the Big West final.
UH had rallied from down three goals near the end of the third quarter.
“These two teams were loaded with talented players,” UCI coach Dan Klatt said on the Big West’s post-game broadcast. “Any one shot, any one play could change the tide of the game.”
Now UH (21-6), ranked No. 5 in the country, must await the NCAA tournament selection show to see if it will gain an at-large berth to the nine-team NCAA tournament May 12-14 in Stockton, Calif.
Klatt said he found it both fun and nerve-wracking to play UH because of its players’ togetherness.
“I’m really hopeful that Hawaii gets in as well,” he said. “They put together a really good season and have a great argument. In my opinion, Hawaii should get in the tournament. We may have to play each other in the first round. It’s highly likely that could occur.”
Both teams struggled to score in man-up situations; UCI converted just one of eight such opportunities and UH was not much better at 3-for-14.
UH beat UCI 12-8 in the teams’ first meeting in February in a nonconference tournament. But UCI beat UH 11-10 at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex two weeks ago to secure the BWC tournament top seed.
UCI’s shot blocking improved throughout the season, Klatt said, and the goalkeeper Tharp was ready to perform in her biggest career game. She came up with 14 saves.
A role player, Airian Grisham, had a hat trick for the Anteaters (20-6), including two in overtime. The last of those proved to be the deciding score as she scored on a lob shot over Bridget Layburn with two minutes left in OT for a 10-8 lead.
UH’s Lucia Gomez de la Puente answered to keep UH within a goal with 1:24 left.
UCI turned it over with 57 seconds left. Libby Gault tried a lob shot in, but Tharp read it and snatched it out of the air.
UCI ran the clock down to 11 seconds left and UH got a block. Coach Maureen Cole called timeout and UH brought up goalie Bridget Layburn to play 7-on-6.
But Lot Stertefeld skied her shot over the goal and that was it.
Stertefeld, Jordan Wedderburn and Mantellato Dias led UH with two goals apiece. Layburn had 11 saves.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.