Lechuza’s Tomas Goti scored twelve goals in the win
Tomas Goti scored nine goals in leading a Lechuza (Victor Vargas, Mariano Gracida, Juan Martin Nero and Tomas Goti) to a 10-5 halftime lead before coasting to a 15-11 win over Heathcote (Steve Lefkowitz, Naco Taverna, Tommy Biddle and Nick Manifold) Saturday afternoon in Hampton Cup play at the Bridgehampton Polo Club in New York.
Heathcote received three goals by handicap from the 20-goal Lechuza team and added another on a goal from the field from Naco Taverna. Lechuza got an opening goal from 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero and added two more from Tomas Goti (one from the field and one on a 60-yard penalty conversion). Heathcote held the early lead, 4-3, but Lechuza showed a lot of early firepower.
Goti added three more goals to the Lechuza total in second chukker play while Heathcote was held to a single goal from Nick Manifold. Lechuza moved in front of Heathcote by a single goal, 6-5.
Goti took control in the third adding four more goals to the Lechuza total while being supported by shutout defense from his teammates. At the end of the first half, Lechuza raced out to a 10-5 lead with Heathcote continuing to look for answers.
A determined Heathcote quartet took the field in the fourth chukker determined to slow down the Lechuza attack. A penalty goal from Tommy Biddle was all the offense Heathcote could produce, but a militant defense kept Lechuza from scoring for the first time all day. Lechuza continued to lead, however, 10-6.
Lechuza and Heathcote exchanged goals in the fifth period. Goti scored twice from the field with teammate Mariano Gracida scoring for the first time all day. Biddle scored a pair (one from the field and one on a penalty conversion) and team captain Steve Lefkowitz added a single goal. Heathcote lost no more ground, but continued to trail by four goals, 13-9.
Sixth chukker goals from Nero and Goti were offset by a penalty conversion from Lefkowitz and a goal from Taverna, but it wouldn’t be enough. Lechuza left the field with the powerful 15-11 win, boosting their record to 2-0 while Heathcote lost its second game of the tournament against no wins, 0-2.
Goti was credited with twelve goals on the day (five on penalty shots) and received MVP honors. Nero scored twice and Gracida added a goal for the win. Biddle scored two of his team high three goals on penalty shots. Lefkowitz and Taverna scored two goals each and Manifold added a goal in the loss. Heathcote also received three goals by handicap.