BEAR RIVER HIGH – By Justice Wise – April 27, 2021
It’s been a busy season for all of Bear River High School’s spring sports and that has put BRVNEWS.com a little behind on updating sports fans. Here’s a quick recap of the 2021 Bear River High girls' water polo season as of April 27, 2021.
March 6, 2021
Mountain Crest 12, Bear River 5
The Bear River girls’ water polo team’s seasonal debut saw them face off against the Mountain Crest High School Mustangs at the Bears’ home pool. The ‘Stangs came out swinging and took a commanding lead in the first half with six goals being scored compared to the Bears scoring 4. Mountain Crest would continue their lead into the second half and beat the Bears 12-5.
Reagan Tureson scored three goals and Madyson Mickelson scored two. The Bears’ goalie, Illiana Anderson, had nine saves on the day.
March 12, 2021
Bear River 14, Snake River 7
The Lady Bears started their home tournament play against the Panthers from Snake River High School in Idaho. Despite coming out hot with four goals in the first quarter, the Bears would claim the first half as their own. Bear River would continue their lead until the end of the game with a win 14-7.
Mountain Crest 8, Bear River 1
It wouldn’t be long until the Bears had their rematch against the Mustangs from Mountain Crest High though, they would face them again at home. Unfortunately, the ‘Stangs would control the score the entire game and would beat the Bears, again, 8-1. Mickelson had the only goal on the day for the Lady Bears.
March 13, 2021
Tooele 13, Bear River 6
Next up, the Bears hosted the Tooele High School Buffaloes. The Lady Buffs took a commanding lead with seven goals in the first quarter. Tooele would continue their lead until the end of the game.
Despite three goals from Tureson, two from Mickelson and one from freshman Kate Crook, the Bears fell to Tooele, 13-6.
March 16, 2021
Bear River 18, Kearns 3
On the road to face off against the Cougars from Kearns High School. the Bears took control quickly with nine points in the first half and another nine points in the second half. With goals from nearly every player, the Bears beat the Cougars 18-3 for a much-needed victory. Both Tuerson and Kaycee Madsen went home with four goals under their belts, Crook had 3, Mickelson and Aubree Rowley each had two, while Olivia Veibell and Aurelia Castillo each had one.
March 18, 2021
Bear River 14, Maple Mountain 14
The Lady Bears then traveled to Spanish Fork to take on the Maple Mountain High Golden Eagle in a tight shoot out of a game. The Bears controlled the first half with the Golden Eagle trailing not far behind. Both teams came out of halftime ready to play and the Golden Eagle came back to tie the game at 14-14, in a beautiful, offense-oriented game.
Tureson had five goals on the day, Crook had four, Rowley and Mickelson each had three and Melody Anderson had one.
March 19, 2021
Bear River 14, Mountain Crest 5
Bear River had revenge on the mind as they faced the Mustangs from Mountain Crest High for a third time this season – only this time in the ‘Stangs pool. The Bears weren’t messing around as they scored 11 goals alone in the first half alone.
Crook led the team in scoring with an astounding eight goals on the day, as well as three from Mickelson, two from Esplin and one from Rowley. The Bears would have their revenge with a 14-5 victory.
March 20, 2021
Ridgeline 7, Bear River 4
Taking to the road again, the Bears faced off against Ridgeline High School. It was a tight game and goals from Tureson, Crook and Anderson kept the hope of victory alive, but the Bears would fall to Ridgeline 7-4.
April 10, 2021
Herriman 19, Bear River 5
The Bears stayed at home to play against the Herriman High School Mustangs. The Mustangs took a commanding lead in the first and second quarter with a combined total of 14 points. They came out of halftime and were held to only five more goals for the rest of the game. Unfortunately, the Bears would fall to the Mustangs 19-5.
April 16, 2021
Bountiful 20, Bear River 19
Bear River took to the road to battle it out with the Braves from Bountiful High School. The Lady Bears’ offense shone through in this high scoring overtime match. The Bears maintained the lead in the first half, but the Braves came out of the second half swinging and scored five points in the third quarter to take the lead.
The game would then go into overtime with both teams having scored 17 goals throughout regulation play. Bear River would score two in overtime, but the Braves rallied and scored three - ending the game 20-19 for Bountiful.
Tureson put on an absolute clinic with 10 goals. Crook wasn’t far behind with five of her own and one from Mickelson.
Skyline 10, Bear River 9
Bountiful High wouldn’t be the only tight game of the day. The Bears then faced off against the Skyline High School Eagles and would lose, once again, by just one point. After battling valiantly the Bears lost, 10-9.
April 17, 2021
Cyprus 13, Bear River 9
The Lady Bears then faced off against the Cyprus High School Pirates in another relatively close game. The Bears lost to the Pirates 13-9.
April 19, 2021
Bear River 10, Mountain Crest 9
With five losses in a row behind them, the Bears desperately needed a W. With this attitude they faced off against Mountain Crest High for the fourth time this season. The Bears wasted no time earning their lead as they controlled the first half. The ‘Stangs made a half-hearted attempt in the second half, enough to come within one point of tying the game but the Bears beat the ‘Stangs 10- 9.
Tuerson had another incredible game with six goals, Mickelson had three and Anderson had one.
April 23, 2021
Bear River 13, Wasatch 7
Wishing to maintain their momentum, Bear River traveled to Wasatch High School to take on the Wasps. The Bears weren’t in the mood for a tight game so they decided to take the lead quickly in the first half making it a 7-1 game. The Wasps scored six goals in the second half, but this wouldn’t be enough to defeat the Lady Bears.
Bear River won, 13-7, with almost everyone on the team scoring a goal. Tureson scofed five, Crook had four while Madsen, Rowley, Castillo and Anderson each had one goal contributing to the victory.
Herriman 13, Bear River 9
Unfortunately, the momentum the Bears were trying to muster up couldn’t sustain them later that day. They would lose, this time, to Herriman High in a 13-9 shootout.
“They have a great defense and have a good chance to do well at state,” said Danny Esplin, Bear River High's water polo coach.
Next up for the Bear River High girls’ water polo team is a road trip to Salt Lake City to take on the Brighton High School Bengals on Friday, April 30. Game time is set to start at 5 p.m.