BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — St. Francis College Brooklyn rising junior Nikita Prokhin (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) posted a steal in 15 minutes of playing time as Canada doubled-up South Africa, 8-4, in both team’s second team at the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).
The Canadians never trailed against South Africa thanks to a 3-0 outburst in the first quarter to grab the lead for good. Leading 5-2 by halftime, Canada outscored South Africa 2-1 in the third quarter prior to exchanging scoring blows with their foe in the fourth quarter for an 8-4 final score.
Thanks to the victory, Canada evens its record at the tournament to 1-1 as Prokhin posted an assist in a 17-3 opening loss to defending champion Hungary.
Canada will complete competition in Pool C at the tournament on Monday, August 21, against Serbia. The results from pool play will determine the Canadian’s following match on Wednesday, August 23.
The tournament features a total of 16 teams as Taiwan/Chinese Taipei, France, the Republic of Korea and Great Britain compete in Pool A. Italy, Australia, the Netherlands and Argentina are playing in Pool B, with Canada, South Africa, Hungary and Serbia battling in Pool C. The United States, Russia, Japan and Romania are contesting Pool D.
A 2016 Northeast Water Polo Conference (NWPC) Second Team selection, Prokhin, who holds dual citizenship in both Kazakhstan and Canada after emigrating as a 10-year old and gain citizenship in Canada in 2014, is among only two players on the Canadian roster currently competing at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institution along with Devon Thumwood of the University of Pacific.
