by Mark Watson

SPORTS EDITOR

The Tooele boys and girls water polo teams made a statement in their first games as they began play in the the high school 4A state water polo tournament at the Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center.

The girls began the state tournament with a 15-3 win against Copper Hills High School. Tooele jumped out in front quickly as the girls unleased fast breaks, counter attacks and an impressive defense to lead 7-0 by the end of the first quarter.

The remainder of the game was a balance between aggressive offensive movements and a stingy defense led by goalies Stacy Hughes and Lauren Howsden, and guards Kristen Andersen and Courtney Stubbs.

Copper Hills found it very difficult to defend the balanced attack of Mary Burden, Chelsea Smallie, and Erika Andrews, each scoring with three goals apiece. Scoring two goals in the win were Bailey Dalton and Kylie Riding, and adding a goal apiece were Meredith Bridges and Tiffani Smith.

"We set out at the beginning of the game to make defense our priority," said Coach Mike Wells. "We were not dissappointed by the efforts of our varsity players." Coaches Sam Cox and Casey Nobles also agreed that defense would be the key to a state championship.

Defense was also the theme in the varsity boys victory over Utah county. The final result was a lopsided Tooele win 20-1.

Goalie Kyle Cooper was outstanding as only one goal got past his waiting arms. His job was made easier by the steel curtain put up by defenders James Stoddard, Stefen Chevalier and Cody Dalton. Everyone got into the defensive mode as the team accumulated a whopping 18 steals between nine different players. Chevalier led the way with four steals.

Offense was not ignored as the Buffs pummeled the Utah county team a 19-point margin.

Matt Ricci led all scorers with an unmatched eight goals. He was joined in scoring by teamates Chevalier Mat Snarr who added four and three points respectively. Also getting the ball in the cage two times were Dalton and Josh Slater and a single goal was added by Skyler Smith.

"All in all is was a great start to what is going to end up as a rough and tumble tournament," Wells said.

"The Murray High School team is our biggest rival and we are looking forward hopefully to meeting them in the boys and girls state final championship game this Saturday evening."

mwatson@tooeletranscript.com