Skeeterville Sails Past Catamount in Barry Memorial Cup Play
By Alex Webbe
Gusty winds might have had some effect on the play Thursday morning at the International Polo Club, but you couldn’t tell it by Julio Arellano’s play. He scored six goals for Skeeterville (2-0), three of them on penalty shots, and led his team to a convincing 12-9 win over a previously undefeated Catamount team (1-1).
“The team went well today,” said former 10-goaler Owen Rinehart. “Everyone did their part and I liked our teamplay.”
Nicolas Roldan opened the scoring for Catamount in the first chukker followed by a goal from the field by Rinehart to knot it at 1-1.
The second chukker, however, was all Skeeterville. Arellano converted two penalty shots; Rinehart added another goal and Chris Nevins scored. A stellar defense was also evident as the high-scoring Catamount offense was shut out.
Skeeterville took a 5-1 lead into the third period but didn’t have long to wait for Catamount’s offense to wake up. Roldan scored twice from the field and Brandon Phillips added a penalty goal to close to within a goal, 4-5. Arellano scored his third goal of the game to end the chukker with Skeeterville ahead 6-4.
The speed picked up in the fourth period as Roldan scored two goals to tie it at 6-6. Skeeterville roared back with Rinehart scoring his third goal of the game. Two more goals from Arellano made it 9-6. Roldan converted a penalty goal to end the chukker and Skeeterville held the lead, 9-7.
Catamount pressed the attack in the fifth chukker, and had several scoring opportunities slip away. Three high percentage penalty shots were missed and a couple of routine shots at goal went wide. Rinehart and Roldan accounted for single goals for their respective teams, and Skeeterville rode into the final chukker of play with a 10-8 advantage.
“If you don’t score the goals you’re supposed to you aren’t going to win,” said Catamount’s Phillips. “We just didn’t put the ball through the posts when we had the opportunities,” he added.
As the wind picked up, Nevins scored his second goal of the game. Catamount fought gamely back, but despite a goal from Todd Offen, it wasn’t to be.
Rinehart put the game on ice in the waning minutes by scoring his fourth goal of the game, and Skeeterville held on to win 12-9.
“It just wasn’t our day,” reflected Catamount’s Scott Devin. “We just couldn’t score.”
Arellano scored six goals for Skeeterville. Rinehart scored four times and Nevins added two goals for the win.
Catamount’s Nicolas Roldan led all scorers with seven goals. Phillips and Offen added single goals.
The day was highlighted by the fact that both Roldan and Arellano are rated at a lofty 8-goals, are Wellington residents and graduated from Cardinal Newman High School.
Joe Barry Memorial Cup action will continue on Friday at 11 am with Tommy Lee Jones’ San Saba team facing Patagones.