Cochrane sisters and University of Lethbridge student athletes, Francesca and Millie Teskey, brought home hardware as the sister snag silver after competing at the Ringette University Challenge Cup that took place between Dec. 27 and Dec. 31.
The competition took place in Ottawa and hosted 16 teams across Canada at Carlton University.
Francesca said this is her 4th season with the team and took role of Team Captain for the Pronghorns this year. Despite hosting a majority of rookies this year, she said their team jelled really well together and played a significant role in their performance.
“We might not have been the fastest or most skilled team, but I think the bond we had created such an incredible tournament for us,” Teskey said. “We actually ended up coming second in the Tier 1 division, which was incredible, against Western University.”
The Pronghorns went 3-1-0 in the first round of the tournament and 3-0-1 in the second round. In the in the gold medal match against the reigning champions, Western University, the Pronghorns took the match into overtime, but unfortunately lost 1-3 in a hard-fought battle.
Teskey said she was proud to play alongside her fellow teammates and said the energy of everyone on the ice was nothing short of awesome.
“It was amazing as a captain to see everyone working so hard,” she said. “I was so proud of all of them. And even playing with my sister this year is so much fun.”
Although both Teskey sister played ringette for several years, they were unable to play together due to their age groups. But now as students of U of L and members of the Pronghorns, Francesca said this is their first year playing together.
“We’ve grown so much closer playing together, and we just worked so well on the ice together,” Teskey said. “We just know where we are at all times, and we get to plan a line together, which is pretty cool.”
Francesca added that playing in Cochrane was one of the best starts that helped give her the skills to compete at the national level.
“I played in Cochrane for four years, and then I transferred to the Zone 2 AA team, which is Cochrane, Airdrie, Strathmore, and like teams outside of Calgary, which gave me a very good pathway to make it to the university level,” Teskey said. “Cochrane is awesome for ringette.”
Both sisters are attending separate kinesiology programs at the U of L. Francesca said she has one more year before she graduates and is studying to be a physio therapist, and she looks forward to playing with the Pronghorns and her sister for another year.
“Shoutout to my whole team who worked incredibly hard over the six days we were there, and to our coaches who always believed in us and helped us get there,” Teskey said. “And definitely to all the parents and fans. They were incredible during the tournament. Like feeding us amazing meals and cheering for us so loudly.
“Even the parents and fans supporting us through video, who weren’t able to make it. You were amazing.”
