Lechuza Caracas Defeats Catamount 14-12
in 2007 Stanford U.S. Open Action Friday at International Polo Club
WELLINGTON, FL (April 6, 2007) – Ten-goaler Sebastian Merlos scored six goals, four in the second half, to spearhead Lechuza Caracas over Catamount 14-12 in a key divisional game in the 2007 Stanford U.S. Open Friday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Lechuza Caracas came out strong in the second half, scoring four consecutive goals, three by Merlos and one by Jeff Blake, to snap an 8-8 tie, the fifth and final tie. Catamount rallied to close the gap to 12-11 but was not able to get the tying goal.
Pite Merlos scored four goals for Lechuza Caracas (1-1) while Blake finished with three and patron Victor Vargas added one goal.
Lechuza Caracas made just 3-of-8 penalty shots, including a 30-yarder and a 40-yarder, and also missed a pair of 60-yard safeties. Catamount made 4-of-6 penalty shots, including one 60-yard safety.
With the victory, Lechuza Caracas will play on Tuesday for a spot in the quarterfinals.
The loss eliminated Catamount (0-2), relegating it to Hall of Fame Cup subsidiary tournament.
Eight-goaler Nicolas Roldan led Catamount with seven goals while Martin Zegers added three goals and Adam Snow scored two goals. Patron Scott Devon did not score.
Divisional action in the Stanford U.S. Open presented by Bombardier continues Sunday with a tripleheader beginning at 10 a.m. when Skeeterville plays defending champion Las Monjitas (1-0) followed by Bendabout (0-1) against 2006 finalist Orchard Hill (1-0). Millarville (0-1), led by 7-goalers Fred Mannix Jr. and Sugar Erskine, takes on San Saba (1-0), led by 9-goaler Javier Novillo Astrada, at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field.
The Stanford U.S. Open presented by Bombardier quarterfinals are scheduled for Sunday, April 15 with the semifinals set for Wednesday, April 18. The Stanford U.S. Open is the culmination of the ultra-competitive winter polo season and covers the first four Sundays in April. The final, on Sunday, April 22 at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field at International Polo Club, expects to draw more than 7,000 spectators.
Historically, the U.S. Open has always been the grand prize of polo in North America. It is one of only three tournaments played at the 26-goal echelon, the highest-rated tournament in the United States. The others are the C.V. Whitney Cup and USPA Piaget Gold Cup, both also played at International Polo Club.
The first U.S. Open title game was played in 1904 at Van Cortlandt Park in New York City where the Wanderers defeated the Freebooters 4 ½-3, the lowest scoring final in the history of the tournament.
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 $15 for adults and reserved lawn tickets are $40. Children under 3 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game.
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.