By Alex Webbe
YP repelled a second half rally by ELG to register a 10-8 win in the opening match of the 2012 US Trust Cup on the grounds of the Palm city Polo Club in Boca Raton, Florida.
YP received one goal by handicap and quickly built up a 4-1 lead after the first chukker of play. Penalty conversions by David Krantz and Juan Bollini gave YP an early 3-0. Jeff Hall finally got ELG on the scoreboard, but a goal from YP’s Juan Badiola ended the first period. YP held a 4-1 lead after the opening period.
Bollini accounted for the only goal of the second chukker as YP extended its lead to four goals, 5-1 with ELG unable to mount a successful attack.
Joey Casey scored for ELG in the third but scores from Melissa Ganzi and Krantz gave YP a commanding 7-2 lead.
ELG and YP fought tooth and nail in the fourth chukker as Joey Casey accounted for the only goal of the chukker. YP continued to lead, with Casey cutting the ELG deficit to four goals, 7-3.
The ELG defense held YP scoreless for the second consecutive period as they generated a couple of goals of their own. Single goals from Avery Chapman and Jocelyn Grouix had ELG within two goals of the lead, 7-5.
The two teams combined for six goals in the final period of play with each team scoring three times. Melissa Ganzi converted two penalty shots for scores with Krantz adding his third goal of the game.
Hall scored twice and Case added a single goal, but ELG never regained control of the game as YP celebrated the 10-8 win.
RUBY Q 9, NEWPORT 7
The one goal Newport received by handicap accounted for the only goal it could claim as Ruby Q started shooting from the onset. A pair of well-earned goals from Wes Finlayson and a goal from the field from Diego Cossio had Ruby Q ahead early, 3-1.
Three more Ruby Q goals in the second saw Finlayson adding two more goals while teammate Cossio scored again to give them a 7-1 halftime advantage.
A pair of goals from Newport’s Kris Kampsen went unanswered in the fourth chukker as Newport attempted to close the gap. Ruby Q continued to lead, 7-3.
Gene Goldstein opened the fifth period with a goal from the field but Cossio and Finlayson struck again and the period ended with Ruby Q on top of a 9-4 score.
The final chukker was all Newport with Goldstein adding another goal and Joaquin Panelo scoring twice. Ruby Q coasted to the 9-7 win and an appointment in Sunday’s finals at the Grand Champions Polo Club against YP.
Newport and ELG will meet in a subsidiary game.
Wes Finlayson led all scoring with five goals. Teammate Cossio added another four goals in the win.
Goldstein, Panelo and Kampsen each scored two goals in the loss. The team also received one goal by handicap.