Cambiaso Leads Crab Orchard Over Orchard Hill 16-7 in Semifinals of Stanford U.S. Open Thursday at International Polo Club Palm Beach
WELLINGTON, FL (April 19, 2007) – Pre-tournament favorite Crab Orchard, sparked by Adolfo Cambiaso’s 10 goals, lived up to its status with a 16-7 victory over Orchard Hill in the semifinals of the Stanford U.S. Open Thursday at International Polo Club.
Crab Orchard (4-1) plays Jedi (4-0) in the Stanford U.S. Open championship match on Sunday at 3 p.m. Jedi defeated Crab Orchard 10-8 during divisional play earlier this month. Crab Orchard, the 2007 USPA Piaget Gold Cup champion, is now 11-2 in 26-goal tournaments this season at International Polo Club. Jedi is 5-2 during the 26-goal season at IPC.
Orchard Hill, the 2006 Stanford U.S. Open finalist, could not take advantage of its strong start, as Lucas Criado mishit an easy tap-in on the first offensive series and Jeff Hall missed two penalty shots, a 60-yarder in the first chukker and a 40-yarder in the second chukker.
There were only two ties in the game, at 2-2 at the end of the first chukker and 4-4 at the end of the second chukker.
Then it was Crab Orchard’s turn and they didn’t miss a step, scoring four answered goals to take an 8-4 lead and never looked back. Orchard Hill could not get closer than four goals the rest of the game but Crab Orchard did not let up.
“I was very worried and concerned when it was four goals (11-7 at the end of the fourth chukker),” said Crab Orchard patron George Rawlings. “But Adolfo took over. He’s just the best.”
Cambiaso and 9-goaler Matias Magrini scored three goals apiece in the final two chukkers while Orchard Hill was held to a 60-yard penalty shot by Lucas Criado with 1:52 remaining for the final margin.
There were two slight delays during the game. Criado was unseated after Magrini crashed into him late in the second chukker and Cambiaso was fouled and fell off his horse midway through third chukker. Neither player was injured.
“Early in the game, I was inconsistent in the throw-ins and they scored a couple of goals,” said Magrini. “It was my fault they scored. But we got control and Adolfo was able to control the game. And Pelon (David Stirling Jr.) was fantastic. But I need to get better for the final.”
Rawlings is thrilled to be playing in his first U.S. Open final.
“To paraphrase Joshua, ‘I’ve never been this way before,’” Rawlings said. “Yesterday, I was nervous about the game but today I got up ready to play.”
Rawlings also expressed delight in playing against his best friend, Orchard Hill patron Steve Van Andel.
“We met about 20 years ago,” explained Rawlings, who is based in Louisville while Van Andel is from Ada, Michigan. “We went up to Detroit to play polo and hit it off. I think this might be our first game against each other in all these years (of high-goal polo). He’s such a wonderful guy. We respect each other. Steve played very well today. He outplayed me.”
Magrini finished with six goals while Rawlings and Stirling did not score. Crab Orchard was awarded a goal when Cambiaso was fouled in the goal mouth.
Jeff Hall led Orchard Hill with three goals while Criado and Hector Galindo added two goals apiece. Van Andel did not score. Orchard Hill also received one goal by handicap at the start of the game.
Orchard Hill was 4-of-7 in penalty shots while Crab Orchard made 3-of-4.
Cambiaso leads all scorers with 43 goals in five games, scoring 62 percent of Crab Orchard’s goals.
The Stanford U.S. Open presented by Bombardier is the culmination of the ultra-competitive winter polo season with the final on Sunday at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field at International Polo Club expected 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 Stanford U.S. Open presented by Bombardier final on Sunday at 3 p.m. 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.
Wednesday’s result
Jedi 10, White Birch 7
Thursday’s result
Crab Orchard 16, Orchard Hill 7
Saturday’s schedule
Hall of Fame Cup Final
Black Watch vs. Laurence-Wallace/Paladin Rally, 3 p.m.
Sunday’s schedule
Stanford U.S. Open Final
Crab Orchard vs. Jedi, 3 p.m.