The game’s MVP, Mariano Aguerre, scored six goals in the White Birch win.
Late Saturday afternoon White Birch (Herndon Radcliff, Mariano Aguerre, Matias Magrini and Peter Brant) galloped past Heathcote Steve Lefkowitz, Naco Taverna, Tommy Biddle and Nick Manifold) in a 15-12 win to earn the right to face Lechuza in the finals of the 2013 Hampton Cup.
Mariano Aguerre scored from the field for the only goal of the first chukker. Heathcote took advantage of three goals by handicap for the early 3-1 lead.
Aguerre and Matias Magrini opened the second chukker with goals to tie it up at 3-3. Heathcote team captain Steve Lefkowitz converted a penalty shot to put his team back in front, 4-3. Aguerre’s third goal of the game had it all even at 4-4, and a penalty conversion from Magrini had White Birch in the lead, 5-4. Naco Taverna and Tommy Biddle scored single goals to close out the chukker with Heathcote in the lead, 6-5.
The third chukker belonged to White birch. Shutout defense was complimented by a goal from Aguerre and a pair of goals from Magrini. At the end of the first half, White Birch enjoyed an 8-6 advantage.
Three more White Birch goals opened the second half with Herndon Radcliff scoring his first of the day and Magrini and Aguerre chipping in single goals. Biddle converted a penalty shot for Heathcote, but they fell behind by four goals, 11-7 as the chukker ended.
The two teams exchanged goals in the fifth. Magrini scored on a penalty shot for White Birch while Aguerre and team captain Peter Brant scored single goals from the field. Heathcote got single goals from Lefkowitz, Taverna and Biddle (penalty conversion). White Birch continued to lead by four goals, 14-10.
Lefkowitz converted a pair of penalty goals for Heathcote in the final chukker while holding White Birch to a single goal from Magrini (40-yard penalty goal) for the 15-12 final score. The win boosts White Birch into Tuesday’s final against Lechuza for the 2013 Hampton Cup championship.
Magrini led all players in scoring with seven goals (three on penalty conversions). Aguerre scored six times from the field. Radcliff and Brant added single goals in the win. Lefkowitz scored three of his team high four goals on penalty shots. Biddle added three goals (two from the penalty line), and Taverna scored twice.
Aguerre was named MVP for his efforts in the White Birch win while his mare Jackie earned Best Playing Pony honors.