By Alex Webbe
Jeff Hall announced his presence loud and clear at the International Polo Club Friday afternoon, scoring eight goals as Mt. Brilliant took the wheels off of Audi 14-6 in the first round of play in the 2008 William T. Ylvisaker Cup Friday.
“We changed our lineup a bit and really concentrated on teamwork,” said Hall, “and it paid off for us.”
The lineup change that was initiated by Mt. Brilliant coach, Julian Hipwood, moved Kris Kampsen from Number 2 to Back and moved Jeff Blake from Back to Number 2.
“When we line up like this,” said Kampsen, “we get to use the strengths of our players to the fullest.”
Kampsen scored the first goal of the game on a penalty conversion, but was countered by a score from Audi’s 9-goaler Gonzalito Pieres. Hall converted a penalty shot to close the first chukker scoring and gave Mt. Brilliant an early 2-1 lead. Four more Hall goals and two penalty conversions from Kampsen had Audi trailing 8-3 at the end of the first half.
“I felt much more comfortable at the Number 2 position,” said Jeff Blake, who accounted for three second half goals for Mt. Brilliant. “I think this is the position I am supposed to play.”
Pieres opened the second half scoring with a goal from the field for Audi. Mt. Brilliant’s Jeff Blake answered with two goals for a 10-4 advantage after four chukkers.
Pieres and Hall swapped goals, each scoring twice in the fifth period, as Mt. Brilliant held on to its six-goal lead, 12-6.
Audi continued to struggle in the final period; being shut out for the first time all game long. Hall and Blake scored the final goals for Mt. Brilliant in the 14-6 romp.
“We were lucky to catch them in their first match,” said Hall, noting that Mt. Brilliant had already played the opening Barry Memorial tournament while Audi was playing its first game of the season.
Mt. Brilliant’s Hall led all scoring with eight goals. Teammates Kampsen and Blake added three goals apiece in the win.
Pieres led Audi with four goals. Juan Bollini and Stevie Orthwein added single goals in a losing effort.
Eight-goaler Nicolas Roldan provided the heart of the Catamount attack as it rolled over San Saba 13-8 in the second game of the day.
“The strategy was to come out strong,” said Roldan, “and just keep the pressure on.”
The strategy worked to perfection. Catamount scored the first five goals of the game, and led 9-1 after the first three chukkers.
Although limited to a mere three goals from the field, Roldan’s masterful control of the game was evident, as he seemed to lift the play of his teammates.
“We were just coming off of a great win (Catamount’s Joe Barry Memorial Championship victory),” he said, “and we wanted to make sure we didn’t have a let down.”
There was no trace of a letdown, as Catamount took immediate of the game from the opening throw-in.
“I was a little nervous at the beginning of the game,” said Catamount’s Brandon Phillips, “but after I scored the second goal of the game I had complete confidence in the team.”
Team captain Scott Devon scored his third and fourth goals of the game in the fourth chukker, and after Roldan added a goal from the field, the Catamount lead was 13-2.
San Saba scored six of their eight goals in the last two chukkers of the game as Catamount was coasting.
“You never take anything for granted,” added Roldan, “but in the final chukker we were just taking it easy, saving our horses for the next game.”
Roldan scored just three goals but made the entire Catamount team play better. Devon added four goals, Phillips scored five times and Todd Offen added a tally.
San Saba got three goals apiece from Dawn Jones (substituting for husband Tommy Lee Jones) and Toto Collardin. Paco de Naraez scored twice.
Ylvisaker play will continue on Sunday with a 10 am match between Isla Carroll (1-0) and Patagones (0-1) followed by a 3pm game featuring Bendabout (1-0) and Bud Light/ERG (1-0).