Felipe Viana led the USA attack with five goals in the win.
(Photo by Alex Pacheco)
A strong offensive showing by the United States polo team (Jared Sheldon, Jesse Bray, Felipe Viana and Patrick Uretz) in Zone A FIP World Polo Championship competition at the Dominican Republic resort Casa de Campo as they galloped past the Dominican Republic entry (Alex Shad, Heriberto Constanza, Johnny Alvarez and Denis Santana) 11-5½ Friday morning.
The Dominican Republic received 1½ goals by handicap in the five chukker match and quickly added to it with a goal from the field from Denis Santana for the early lead, 2½-0. The United States fired back with four consecutive goals to close out the chukker. Jared Sheldon added two goals from the field in the opening minutes of the game with Felipe Viana converting on a penalty shot and adding another goal from the field for the 4-2½ advantage.
Both defenses stood firm in the second period with Santana converting a penalty shot for a goal for the Dominican Republic, 3½ -4, but that would be as close as they would get for the duration of the day. Viana responded with a penalty goal of his own as the US team left the field at the end of the second chukker ahead, 5-3½.
The US defense held tight again in the third period, shutting down the Dominican Republic attack. Goals from Jesse Bray and Viana gave the United States a 7-3½ edge with two chukkers left to play.
There was no let up from the USA in fourth period play as they scored the first three goals of the chukker. Goals from Viana, Bray and Sheldon had the Dominican Republic trailing 10-3½. A penalty goal from Santana kept the home team from getting shut out, but the US team was definitely in control of the match.
The two teams traded single goals in the final seven minutes of the game with Johnny Alvarez scoring for the Dominican Republic and Patrick Uretz picking up his first goal of the day in the 11-5½ US win.
Viana led all scoring with five goals (one on a penalty shot). Sheldon scored three times; Bray added two goals and Uretz was credited with a goal in the win. Santana scored two of his team high three goals on penalty conversions. Alvarez added a goal and the team received 1½ goals by handicap.
Zone A play continues this afternoon with Mexico facing Canada. The final round of play is scheduled to be played on Sunday.