By Alex Webbe
Julio Gracida scored ten goals Tuesday in Bud Light/ERG’s (1-1) romp over Mt. Brilliant (0-2) in the second round of play in the 2008 Joe Barry Memorial Cup at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
“We played as a team,” grinned Gracida’s 8-goal teammate Hector Galindo. We started out alright and then stumbled a bit, but we came back strong.”
Roberto Gonzalez scored the first goal of the game for Bud Light/ERG (1-1), but Mt. Brilliant stormed back. Hutton Goodman carried the ball nearly 100 yards before putting it into the goal, and Kris Kampsen converted two penalty shots as Mt. Brilliant left the field with a 3-1 lead after the first period of play.
Bud Light/ERG regrouped for the second chukker, pressing the attack. Individual play and miscues gave Bud Light/ERG two penalty shots, which Gracida converted, adding another goal from the field before the end of the period. The Bud Light/ERG defense held Mt. Brilliant scoreless and took a 4-3 lead.
“There was absolutely no teamwork,” said Mt. Brilliant’s coach Julian Hipwood. “They played as individuals,” added the former 9-goaler, “they never gave a thought to playing for one another. I’m very disappointed.”
A goal from the field from Gonzalez and two goals from Gracida kept Bud Light/ERG out in front, but Kampsen’s three goals in the chukker (one field goal and two on penalty shots) kept them close with Bud Light/ERG on the tall end of a 7-6 score.
A frustrated Mt. Brilliant continued to make mistakes as Gracida converted two more goals. Gonzales and Galindo added single goals. Kampsen added a penalty goal of his own, but Bud Light/ERG stretched its lead to 11-7.
The intensity of the play escalated as Kampsen received his third technical foul of the game and was sent off the field for the balance of the fifth chukker. Bud Light/ERG capitalized on the four on three match up and extended its lead again, 16-7.
Gracida’s tenth goal of the game gave Mt. Brilliant an overwhelming 17-7 lead before Mt. Brilliant could respond. Kampsen attempted to atone for his earlier “official” departure from the game by hammering the ball through the goal posts. Eight-goaler Jeff Hall scored his first goal of the game in the final chukker and Kampsen converted two late penalty shots, but it was Bud Light/ERG with the 17-11 win.
Gracida led all scorers with 10 goals. Gonzalez scored six times and Galindo added a single goal in the win.
Kampsen led Mt. Brilliant with nine goals. Goodman and Hall scored single goals for Mt. Brilliant.
Joe Barry Memorial Cup action is scheduled to continue on Wednesday with a noon game between Isla Carroll (1-0) and Pony Express (1-0)