Black Watch Impressive in 15-12 Triumph Over Jedi to Clinch Playoff Berth
in USPA Piaget Gold Cup Action at International Polo Club
WELLINGTON, FL (March 14, 2007) – Facundo Pieres scored 10 goals, including four in the last two chukkers, to spark Black Watch over Jedi 15-12 Wednesday and clinch a berth in the quarterfinals of the 26-goal USPA Piaget Gold Cup at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
In other action, Lechuza Caracas captured the final quarterfinal spot with its 15-12 victory over Laurence-Wallace/Paladin Rally.
Black Watch controlled the first half, taking an 8-5 advantage but Jedi rallied as 9-goaler Pablo MacDonough scored three goals in the fourth to lead a comeback. There were four ties in the second half, but Jedi was able to take lead just once, at 11-10. The last tie was at 11-11 on Facundo Pieres’ 30-yard penalty shot late in the fifth chukker.
Pieres then scored late in the fifth chukker and with 5:24 left in the sixth to give Black Watch a 13-11 margin. Jedi could not get off a shot on goal over the next two minutes and Gonzalito Pieres made it 14-11 with 2:58 remaining, knocking down the right goal post as he dribbled through.
Facundo Pieres clinched the victory when he blocked a shot and dribbled half the field before unleashing a 140-yard forehand with 1:09 left to make it 15-11.
Jedi missed three 60-yard penalty shots in the first half and finished 5-of-8. Black Watch converted all five of its penalty attempts.
Gonzalito Pieres and Nacho Figueras scored two goals each for Black Watch while patron Neil Hirsch did not score.
MacDonough led Jedi with eight goals while patron Torsten Koch scored two goals and Juan Martin Nero and Magoo Laprida had one goal apiece.
In a battle of brothers, Pite Merlos and Sebastian Merlos combined for 13 goals to lead Lechuza Caracas while younger brother Agustin Merlos scored five to lead Laurence-Wallace.
Lechuza Caracas led the entire game, although there was one tie, at 1-1 in the first chukker. Sebastian Merlos scored with 4:18 left in the game to give Lechuza Caracas a 15-10 before Laurence-Wallace closed the gap.
Pite Merlos led Lechuza Caracas with seven goals while Sebastian added six goals. Jeff Blake and patron Victor Vargas scored one goal apiece.
Mike Azzaro added four goals for Laurence-Wallace while Luis Escobar scored three goals. Patron Elizabeth Iorio did not score.
Fourteen teams entered the 26-goal USPA Piaget Gold Cup, the second of the Big Three tournaments at International Polo Club Palm Beach. The USPA Piaget Gold Cup, which began in 1974, is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the United States and is in first season at International Polo Club.
The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 and the final is set for Sunday, March 25 at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field at International Polo Club.
The polo matches at International Polo Club are open to the public. General admission for the Sunday games at International Polo Club Palm Beach is $10 for adults. Children under 3 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game or in advance at the stadium box office.
Major sponsors at International Polo Club Palm Beach for the 2007 season include Stanford Private Wealth Management, Piaget, Bombardier Aerospace, Bessemer Trust, Westwind Realty, LLC, Panera Bread, Cartier, CityPlace, Florida Coast Equipment, The Mall at Wellington Green, Omar Trevino Bloodstock, Inc., Palm Beach Daily News, Palm Beach Illustrated, Palm Beach Post, Ritz Carlton Palm Beach, Roederer Estates, The Wellington Institute, Van Cleef & Arpels, Yamana Gold Inc. and Jim Corbin Illustrated Properties.
International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South, between Pierson Road and Lake Worth Road in Wellington. For information, directions or ticket purchases, please call the club at (561) 204-5687 or visit the website at www.internationalpoloclub.com.