Aiken, SC – Brigadoon’s victory in the prestigious USPA Continental Cup tournament presented by Sundowner Trailers of Aiken and hosted by 302 Polo presented by Mercedes-Benz of Augusta was a study in determination and desire to win by the victorious Brigadoon team. Brigadoon’s Christine Cato (A), Julio Arellano (8), Tiger Kneece (6) and Justin Pimsner (2) arrived at the finals after defeating Barrington in a must win game as both of those teams arrived at the field on Sunday November 16th with absolutely identical win loss records, meaning that the winner of their game would be the one to advance to the finals.
On the other side of the ball was an undefeated Morgan Creek team, which has proven this fall to be very plucky and determined as well scoring victories over all their first round opponents to ensure their appearance in the finals. Morgan Creek’s Julian Aguilar (4), Alan Martinez (6), Julian Daniels (6) and Angelo Kleronomos (A) arrived fit and ready to do battle for the USPA Continental Cup on a clear, sunny and COLD Aiken afternoon amidst the fall foliage at Loughrea Plantation.
For the first half of the game it looked as if Morgan Creek was aiming to go undefeated as Julian Aguilar found the mark twice answered back only once by Tiger Kneece of Brigadoon to end the first chukker with Morgan Creek ahead 2-1. Then a reversal of fortune, as Brigadoon’s Tiger Kneece scored once while teammate Julio Arellano turned on the afterburners to score twice unanswered by Morgan Creek for a Brigadoon advantage 4-2 to close the second. Morgan Creek’s Alan Martinez laid up a hat trick of goals in the third, two on penalty conversions and one from the field, while Brigadoon’s Tiger Kneece returned fire with a penalty conversion score to end the half at an even 5-5 tally. In the fourth it looked as if Morgan Creek had its “game face” in place as Alan Martinez opened the scoring in the fourth to give Morgan Creek a 6-5 advantage for a brief time, however, Julio Arellano and Justin Pimsner saw it differently with Arellano adding two and Pimsner one to pull Brigadoon ahead at the end of the fourth 8-6. In the fifth, one lone goal was scored as Julian Daniels of Morgan Creek added his first goal of the game to end the fifth with Brigadoon ahead by only a one goal margin 8-7. Morgan Creek’s Alan Martinez added the last of his five goals for Morgan Creek to open up the scoring in the sixth and the game was briefly tied at 8-8. Then Brigadoon’s Julio Arellano exploded out of the line-up to score the first of his three goals of the chukker to pull Brigadoon ahead by one. The second of his three efforts extended the Brigadoon advantage to 10-8. Julian Daniels penalty conversion offered the opportunity for a Morgan Creek come back but the last of Julio Arellano’s goals sealed the deal with Brigadoon emerging victorious 11-9.
Although, Brigadoon took home the prestigious USPA Continental Cup ably presented by Tracey Turner representing Sundowner of Aiken, Morgan Creek’s team patron Angelo Kleronomos hauled off an armful of awards as he scored the Amateur MVP award while his fifth chukker mount “Oso” wore the Amateur Best Playing Pony blanket. Brigadoon’s Julio Arellano had a banner day as he was chosen Professional MVP and his lovely “Malia” trained by Aiken’s own Mark Bryan carried off the Professional Best Playing Pony title.
Brigadoon had more than one reason to celebrate as they began and ended their fall run with two significant wins in two very prestigious events as they not only hauled off the USPA Continental Cup but also the USPA Monty Waterbury in 2008. 302 Polo (www.302polo.com) presented by Mercedes-Benz of Augusta, Sundowner Trailers of Aiken, Ag South Farm Credit, All Star Rents and all of the participating corporate sponsors congratulate them and were delighted to host this prestigious tournament in Aiken, and the entire 2008 season here in Aiken.