Adolfo Cambiaso for Lucchese. Photo by David Lominska.
The second round of the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open began with a strong showing from the defending champions Lucchese. Lucchese looked like a team on a mission, as they amassed an incredible 13-1 lead at one point over ERG. Lucchese’s Adolfo Cambiaso controlled the game from start to finish in true ten goal fashion, scoring 11 goals and stealing the ball several times. ERG found the goal more at the end and did not give up trying, but never proved a threat to Lucchese. Final score was 16-10.
In the second game, Grants Farm redeemed themselves from a subpar showing in the first round of the PCO and triumphed 10-6 over Piaget. The game was tied up until the 6th chukker, as each team was playing fast open polo and exchanging goals, but with the scoreboard showing a good poker hand of three 6’s on the board to start the 6th chukker Grants Farm made some key play to control the throw ins in the 6th chukker and reeled off four unanswered goals to get the win.
The last game of the day was fabulous to watch, as both teams were playing with an intensity usually reserved for the semifinals. Although Audi had more shots on goal, missed Audi penalty shots combined with some inspired play from Mansour, including a blocked penalty 3 by Sapo Caset, allowed Mansour to keep things close in the first half. Then in the fourth chukker Mansour captain Ben Soleimani and Sapo Caset each scored, while shutting out Audi, to take the lead for Mansour 8-6. But Audi rallied to tie things up midway through the 6th chukker, then with a minute and change left Carlos Gracida, showing that veteran composure under pressure, sank a neck shot to send Audi into the lead 9-8. Mansour had a chance to send the game to OT on a penalty 4, but it was not to be as the shot sailed wide right, giving Audi the victory.
Bombardier PCO 3rd round schedule:
Thursday August 25
10am Mansour vs Piaget
1pm Grants Farm vs ERG
3pm Lucchese vs Audi