Top-ranked Southern California never let up on Hawai'i yesterday, blitzing the fourth-ranked Rainbow Wahine, 17-5, in the semifinals of the NCAA Women's Water Polo Championship at College Park, Md.

The 'Bows had early chances in the first quarter, but didn't capitalize and trailed 4-0 going into the second period. The Trojans (26-1) never let them back in.

"We had opportunities (early) in the game to tie it or keep it close and we missed those, but USC is a great team and they have a lot of depth." UH coach Michel Roy said. "Basically what we did yesterday (in the first round) killed our top seven to eight players that we play with. We don't have as much depth; power to them.

"They played great, they played hard. They are a great team and very well coached. Jovan (Vavic) is an amazing tactician."

USC has outscored its opening opponents 39-7 in this tournament. The Trojans play third-ranked UCLA for the championship today. The Bruins, who have won the last four national titles, upset second-ranked Stanford, 12-11, in the other semifinal.

In the second quarter, UH played solid defense, but couldn't find the back of the net. USC scored two goals to go up 6-0, before Dagmar Genee scored on a power-play goal right before halftime.

In the third quarter, Carmen Eggens scored for the Rainbow Wahine and Genee added her second goal on a penalty shot, but USC continued to score in bunches. UH scored two goals in the final quarter, coming from Sivan Pardon and Samantha Motekaitis.

"It was a little bit of everything," said Roy, whose team suffered its worst loss of the year. "We missed a few shots that could have kept us in the game. But when you are down 4-0, 5-0, it's hard to mentally see that you can come back. They kept coming at us. They went six in (to the pool) and six out, and I could only go one in and one out. I wish them the best of luck in the finals."

The Trojans had eight players score and converted eight extra-man opportunities. MPSF Player of the Year Kami Craig, an Olympic silver medalist, scored twice. Goalie Ilse van der Meijden had nine saves.

UH (19-9), which had won 10 of its last 11, plays for third today against Stanford, at 11 a.m. HST. The Rainbows have never finished higher than fourth nationally.

HAWAI'I 0 1 2 2 — 5

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 4 2 6 5 — 17

Hawai'i goal scorers: Dagmar Genee (2), Carmen Eggens, Sivan Pardon, Samantha Motekaitis.

USC goal scorers: Michelle Stein (3), Alexandra Kiss (3), Forel Davies (2), Kami Craig (2), Kristen Dronberger (2), Nadia Dan (2), Kally Lucas, Sarah Van Norman, Kara-Leigh Huse.

Saves: Hawai'i (Serena Bredin 4, Danielle Ingram 1). USC (Ilse van der Meijden 9).