Many players from the Estevan Sharks water polo club have joined the National Championship League (NCL) in the under-14 (14U) age division.
Teams from Regina, Estevan and Winnipeg will compete in the Prairie League Division in a total of 12 games over the next three months to try and earn a spot in the western finals that will be held in Calgary this May. Only the top two teams will advance based on points earned over the next few months.
In their first round of games this weekend both the Estevan Sharks boys and girls teams came away victorious as they out-swam their competition from Winnipeg.
The boys played on Saturday against the Winnipeg Bushido team where they dominated right from the first period of play. At halftime the boys were up 13-1 and felt very confident moving into the third period. The team played very defensively the entire game and as soon as the ball came into their end they moved it quickly out and up to the other side of the pool to score.
All players found the back of the net during the game, which reflected great teamwork from all players. The game ended in a 20-2 win for the Estevan Sharks.
This year the 14U Boys NCL Estevan Sharks team consists of Logan Dalziel, Lucas Dzeryk, Jace Carritt, Ethan Elliott, Dierks Milford, Brooks Milford, Noah Mvula, Lyndon Sauder, Nathan Threinen and Tristan Threinen.
The 14U girls Sharks team is made up of only two girls who are actually from the under-14 age category. The other seven are underage players from the 12U division who are playing up a level. Coached by Mona Hack and Chad Knoll, they faced the Winnipeg Bushido girls in a very intense game.
It was back and forth play through all four periods. Jordyn Tarnes scored the first two goals early in the game. Then Winnipeg answered with three in a row. Prysm Gooding netted the tying goal in the third. Lily Knoll also scored in the third, giving the Sharks the go-ahead goal that would end up being the game winner in a 4-3 triumph.
Lily Knoll played net for three periods, and made some huge saves, and shut the door in the fourth. Prysm Gooding was the goalie for one period and was solid as well.
The youngest players, nine-year-old Mahlyn Bomberack and 10-year-old Rachel Tober, offered tight and solid mid-pool and defensive zone play against the much older and stronger Winnipeg players. Hailey Hack, Hailey Tangjerd, Emily Tarnes and Sadie Smith all played a solid game with great passes, steals and shots on goal.
It will be an exciting season for these players in the Prairie League Division.
The next weekend of play for the 14U NCL Prairie teams will be in Winnipeg on Jan. 25-27.
