Cambiaso Sparks Crab Orchard Over Defending Champion Las Monjitas 13-9
To Advance to Semifinals of Stanford U.S. Open at International Polo Club
WELLINGTON, FL (April 15, 2007) – Adolfo Cambiaso made sure the third time wasn’t the charm, scoring 10 goals to lead pre-tournament favorite Crab Orchard over defending champion Las Monjitas 13-9 in the quarterfinals of the Stanford U.S. Open Sunday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
The San Saba-Orchard Hill match was postponed because of inclement weather and rescheduled for Monday at 11 a.m.
This was the third time Crab Orchard has beaten Las Monjitas during the 26-goal season in 2007, including a 14-1 victory in the USPA Piaget Gold Cup and an 11-8 triumph in the Iglehart Cup, the subsidiary to the C.V. Whitney Cup.
Las Monjitas’ loss ensures that there will not be a repeat champion in the Stanford U.S. Open since Outback won three consecutive titles in 2001, 2000 and 1999, all with Cambiaso as the centerpiece.
This is Crab Orchard’s first foray into the U.S. Open since 2000.
Crab Orchard patron George Rawlings said he has not played in the U.S. Open mainly because of a lack of horses.
“You need the horses for the team and when the opportunity came up to play with Adolfo and Matias (Magrini), I just jumped at it,” said Rawlings. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience.
“I’ve watched the U.S. Open since the mid-80s and I think this is the best lineup of teams I’ve ever seen. And for us to be in the semifinals is so rewarding.”
Crab Orchard trailed only once, at 1-0, because Las Monjitas received one goal by handicap at the start of the game. Cambiaso quickly tied the game with less than a minute gone and Crab Orchard never trailed the rest of the way.
Las Monjitas rallied to cut the margin to 7-6 on Ignacio Novillo Astrada’s goal with 39 seconds left in the third chukker.
But Cambiaso and Crab Orchard came out strong in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 10-6 lead with 4:54 remaining in the fifth chukker. Las Monjitas was able to cut the margin to two goals twice, including 11-9 on Sapo Caset’s 40-yard penalty shot with 4:59 left in the game. But Cambiaso responded immediately, making a long pass to himself and driving past defenders to give Crab Orchard a three-goal cushion with 4:10 remaining. Cambiaso’s goal with 30 seconds left rounded out the scoring.
“It’s more than great, it’s thrilling,” said Crab Orchard patron George Rawlings. “This is a great team, a great bunch of guys. This is my top polo experience, playing with these guys.”
Magrini, who played for Rawlings on the 2000 U.S. Open team, added three goals for Crab Orchard (3-1). David Stirling Jr. and Rawlings did not score. Crab Orchard is now 10-2 during the 2007 26-goal season at International Polo Club.
Sapo Caset led Las Monjitas (2-1) with four goals while Ignacio Novillo Astrada scored two goals and patron Camilo Bautista and Eduardo Novillo Astrada had one goal each. Las Monjitas also received one goal by handicap at the start of the game. Las Monjitas missed four 60-yard penalty shots, including two in the final chukker.
The semifinals of the Stanford U.S. Open presented by Bombardier are set for Wednesday. Jedi, led by 9-goalers Pablo MacDonough and Juan Martin Nero, plays 2005 Stanford U.S. Open champion White Birch, led by 10-goaler Mariano Aguerre and 9-goaler Mariano Aguerre. Crab Orchard plays the winner of Monday’s game between San Saba and Orchard Hill.
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.
Sunday’s results
Crab Orchard 13, Las Monjitas 9
San Saba vs. Orchard Hill, postponed
Monday’s schedule
San Saba vs. Orchard Hill, 11 a.m.