Thermal, CA (March 9, 2008) – It was Chris Maloney’s desire to make his Tri Tech Tournament a little bit different than the norm. As a result, the contest is for the benefit of the United Pegasus Foundation and features a skins format final. A final that Maloney and Jesse Bray’s Tri Tech/La Quinta will now play in as a result of their second win in the tournament, a 13 – 9 victory on Sunday over sister Kelly Maloney and Craig Steinke’s Stormcat/Ohana.
Having to give up two handicap goals at the start, Maloney and Bray were ahead at the half, 6 – 5 and increased the margin dramatically as they led 12 – 6 after five. Three goals in the sixth for the Stormcat/Ohana group didn’t do it and Tri Tech/La Quinta took another two points and qualified for the $24,000 showdown.
Gaston von Wernich continued his stellar play of the tournament and scored six goals. Kimo Huddleston was strong with three as was Maloney who had three of his own – all from the field. Bray converted an open goal opportunity.
The replies for Stormcat/Ohana came from Santigo von Wernich with five (two in the sixth) and Craig Steinke (penalty 3) and Dan Juarez with one each.
Game two on a perfect afternoon in the desert saw Sean Keys and Steven Armour’s Hidden Creek/Shanghai face off against David Ragland and Bill Freeman’s Pink Deco/Corleone in what turned out to be a very entertaining 11 – 11 draw.
For Ragland and Freeman, Marcos Araya was huge with seven goals – most certainly his best effort of the year. Ragland scored twice and Fergus Gould had a single. An award of one completed the tally.
Rob Yackley moved the flag up for Hidden Creek/Shangai five times, Graham Bray did it four times, and Abby Riggs (for Armour) twice.
Play continues on Saturday with the $24,000 final set for Sunday, March 16, 2008 at 1 PM.
Tri Tech Tournament – Standings
Tri Tech/La Quinta 2 0 0 +10 net 4 pts
Hidden Creek/Shangai 0 0 2 0 2
Stormcat/Ohana 0 1 1 – 4 1
Pink Deco/Corleone 0 1 1 -6 1
tony gregg