US Polo: Equuleus overcome Zacara in nail-biter
Mariano Gonzalez scored five goals, as Equuleus marked a 8-6 win over Zacara in the ongoing Ylvisaker Cup being held at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington.
The Equuleus men created some key plays in the first half, wrapped up points from Gonzales and Adam Snow in the third chukker and preserved the lead in the final chukker to end a hard fought game with a victory. Both teams could not make a huge score after
the first three frames of the contest, as the score was 5-3 at the halftime.
Marcos Uranga opened the first chukker with a fine field goal and put Zacara ahead on the scoreboard. Both teams committed numerous fouls in the first seven and half minute of action and caused game-play to slow down. Referees awarded penalty shots to both
sides but neither team was able to take advantage. The first chukker was ended with Zacara holding a one-goal lead.
Gonzalez came to Equuleus’s rescue and made a pair of goals. He scored with a penalty shot and was able to add the second from the field. From the other side, Jeff Blake scored off a spot-shot and tied the knots at 2-2 at the end of the second chukker.
The third set of play was the most explosive, with the Equuleus team taking control and pushing Zacara to the defence line. Equuleus obtained three goals in the seven and half minute action and increased pressure on the opposing team.
Gonzales once again scored two goals at the start of the fourth chukker including one penalty. Zacara was only able to produce one goal. Blake converted the only spot-shot for his team at the end of the third frame.
Some 19 penalty shots were hit in the first half play as four of Equuleus’ five goals and two of Zacara’s three scores were achieved on spot shots. The foursome of Equuleus was hanging on to a two-goal, 5-3 lead at the end of the first half action.
A pair of goals from Blake and Marcos Uranga at the start of the fourth frame upped the position of Zacara and levelled the score at 5-all. However, the tie-up did not last for long and Marianito Obregon scored off a penalty shot in the next minute and regained
the lead. Another Equuleus goal went up on the scoreboard from Snow to end the chukker with his team leading the game by two goals, 7-5.
The fifth chukker was low-scoring as both teams could only score one goal. Gonzales was Equuleus player who marked a goal from the field and extended the lead to three goals, 8-5.
The foursomes went into the final set of play with Equuleus holding a three-score advantage. The final period was low-scoring and saw both teams playing tougher defence. Only one goal was scored in the seven and half minute play in the final chukker. Ther
were several promising strikes that were missed or blocked by the defenders of either side in the last minutes of the game.
Blake managed to take the ball away and risked a 30-yard shot at goal which cruised perfectly between the goalposts. With the final whistle, Equuleus sealed the victory by two goals, 8-6.
Gonzales was the top scorer for Equuleus with five goals while his team-mates Adam Snow and Obregon added three more goals. Jeff Blake was the top scorer from Zacara with four goals while Macros Uranga notched two goals in the loss.
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