Catamount, White Birch Post Close Victories in Semifinals to Advance to Sunday’s C.V. Whitney Cup Final at International Polo Club Palm Beach
WELLINGTON, FL (February 28, 2007) – Lucas Monteverde scored 11 goals, including a 10-yard penalty shot six seconds into overtime, to lead White Birch over San Saba 14-13 in the semifinals of the 26-goal C.V. Whitney Cup Wednesday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
In the other semifinal, Nicolas Roldan scored the game’s final three goals to lift Catamount over Skeeterville 14-12.
The C.V. Whitney Cup final is Sunday at 3 p.m. on Stanford Field at International Polo Club.
White Birch started slowly, trailing 7-2 early in the third chukker. However, they scored four unanswered goals, three by Monteverde, and one by Chris Nevins with 37 seconds remaining, to cut the halftime margin to 7-6.
San Saba responded in the fourth chukker with four consecutive goals to take an 11-7 lead but it was Monteverde and White Birch the rest of the match.
Monteverde tied the game at 13-13 on a line drive 60-yard penalty shot with 2:12 remaining in the game. He was called for a foul but Paco de Narvaez’s 60-yard attempt went wide left.
White Birch almost won the game in regulation but the final horn sounded when Ulysses Escapite was dribbling less than five yards from goal.
Overtime began with a throw-in in front of San Saba’s goal and a foul was called, setting up Monteverde’s winning goal.
“It was very hard for us because this was our first game with Chris (Nevins) and we didn’t know how to use him,” said White Birch captain Mariano Aguerre. “He didn’t get a chance to ride the horses or practice with us.”
Nevins substituted for White Birch patron Peter Brant, who was out of town on business. Brant is expected to play in the final.
“They (San Saba) never gave us the ball,” added Aguerre. “We only got the ball in the third and the fifth when we caught up.”
Escapite, Nevins and Aguerre scored one goal each for White Birch, which made 8-of-11 penalty shots.
Javier Novillo Astrada led San Saba with four goals while patron Dawn Jones, Toto Collardin and de Narvaez scored three goals apiece. San Saba made 4-of-7 penalty shots.
Skeeterville led most of the way before giving way late in the match. There were five ties, the last at 12-12 on Roldan’s goal with 5:08 left in the game. Julio Arellano of Skeeterville had a 60-yard penalty shot blocked and eventually Roldan scored the game-winner with 1:42 left. Adam Snow’s defense on Arellano thwarted Skeeterville’s attempt to tie the game and Roldan clinched the victory by converting a 60-yard penalty shot with 38 seconds remaining.
“I’m thrilled to be in the finals with a new team,” said Snow, who played his best horse, Amy (the Best Playing Pony in the 2006 Stanford U.S. Open final), in the last chukker.
Snow praised his teammates, especially Roldan.
“Inside of 80 yards, Nic is as good as the best going to the goal,” said Snow.
The game was delayed about 15 minutes in the first chukker when Catamount patron Scott Devon suffered a cut at the corner of his left eye. He went to the hospital and received several stitches but is expected to play in the final. Devon was replaced by 21-year-old Joseph Stuart of La Quinta, California, who scored once in his 26-goal debut.
“We didn’t start out particularly strong and when Scott got hurt it hindered our plan,” said Snow. “So we let Joseph play the ball and if he could get a man, that was a bonus,” said Snow. “We wanted him to try to be dangerous (threat on offense).”
Roldan led Catamount with six goals, including the game’s last three goals, while Snow scored four goals and Martin Zegers added three goals.
Julio Arellano led Skeeterville with eight goals, five in the second half. Marcos DiPaola added three goals, all in the first half, while Owen Rinehart scored one goal. Patron Skeeter Johnston did not score.
The tournament, first held in 1979, is named in memory of Cornelius Vanderbilt “Sonny” Whitney, who along with his cousin John Hay Whitney, were important polo patrons in the 1930’s. The son of Hall of Fame patron Harry Payne Whitney, C.V. won the U.S. Open three times (twice against his cousin), and was a renowned owner and breeder of thoroughbred racehorses.
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 $10 for adults. Children under 12 enter for free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate on the day of the game or in advance at the stadium box office.
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 semifinals results
White Birch 14, San Saba 13 (overtime)
Catamount 14, Skeeterville 12
Sunday’s schedule
Championship Match
Catamount vs. White Birch, 3 p.m.