Orchard Hill Defeats White Birch 17-10 to Advance to Quarterfinals
in USPA Piaget Gold Cup Action at International Polo Club
WELLINGTON, FL (March 9, 2007) – Orchard Hill scored the game’s last seven goals en route to a 17-10 victory over 12-time champion White Birch in a first-round game of the 26-goal USPA Piaget Gold Cup Friday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
The victory clinched a spot in the quarterfinals for Orchard Hill (1-1).
There were six ties in the games, the last one at 10-10 when White Birch’s Lucas Monteverde made a deep neck with 5:18 left in the fifth chukker.
After Mariano Aguerre barely missed a chance to put White Birch ahead, Orchard Hill scored three goals in a 2:31 span to take a 13-10 advantage with 1:19 remaining. Aguerre just missed another scoring opportunity and Lucas Criado scored his third consecutive goal on a 70-yard forehand with six seconds left in the fifth chukker to give Orchard Hill a 14-10 margin.
Orchard Hill controlled the final chukker as well, with Jeff Hall scoring two goals and Hector Galindo one for the final margin.
Galindo finished with a team-high six goals while Criado and Hall tallied five goals apiece. Patron Steve Van Andel did not score. Orchard Hill received one goal by handicap at the start of the game.
Monteverde led White Birch (0-1) with five goals while Mariano Aguerre added three goals and Ulysses Escapite scored two goals. Patron Peter Brant did not score.
The USPA Piaget Gold Cup continues Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon when Catamount (0-0) plays Las Monjitas (0-1) followed by Black Watch (0-1) against San Saba (0-1) at 3 p.m.
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 12 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game or in advance at the stadium box office.
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.
Tuesday’s result
La Herradura 12, Orchard Hill 11
Wednesday’s results
Bendabout 15, Black Watch 10
Crab Orchard 14, Las Monjitas 1
Lechuza Caracas 16, San Saba 10
Thursday’s results
Jedi 11, Skeeterville 7
Pony Express 16, Laurence-Wallace/ Paladin Rally 15
Friday’s result
Orchard Hill 17, White Birch 10
Saturday’s schedule
Catamount vs. Las Monjitas, noon
Black Watch vs. San Saba, 3 p.m.
Sunday’s schedule
Bendabout vs. Lechuza Caracas, 10 a.m.
Pony Express vs. Jedi, noon
Skeeterville vs. Laurence-Wallace/Paladin Rally, 3 p.m.