Isla Carroll vs. Skeeterville,
Catamount vs. Pony Express in
Barry Memorial Cup Semifinals
By Alex Webbe
With black, threatening clouds overhead, Isla Carroll’s Shane Rice missed the team’s first three penalty shots in Sunday’s showdown with a talented Patagones polo team in the quarterfinals of the Joe Barry Memorial Cup.
But the 24 year-old California native gritted his teeth and waited for an opportunity to redeem himself, and he did.
“My teammates never lost confidence in me,” he said, “and their constant encouragement kept me in the game. Once I settled down, everything went well.”
Well might be an understatement. Playing the defensive Number 4 position, Rice had a lot to do with holding the Patagones team to a mere three goals in the first half as Isla Carroll left the field with an 8-3 advantage.
A great effort by Mariano Gonzales in the fourth chukker, scoring three consecutive goals, got Patagones back into the game, but by the end of the fifth period Isla Carroll had taken an 11-8 lead.
“When we run and pass the ball, everything goes right for us,” said Rice. “I’ve got some great teammates and a wonderful opportunity with the Isla Carroll team.”
The pace picked up in the final chukker of play with Mariano Gonzalez converting two penalty shots and one goal from the field for Patagones, but Isla Carroll countered with goals from Rice and Bete Donovan for the 13-11 win.
In earlier action Brandon Phillips led the field with seven goals (four on penalty shots) as Catamount fought its way into a semifinal berth on Wednesday by defeating Bud Light/ERG 12-7.
In what many had anticipated as being a classic match-up turned out to be a case of individual efforts falling to minimal teamwork.
“A win is a win,” said Phillips, “but we’re going to have to play a lot better if we want to win this tournament.”
Catamount built up a 5-2 halftime lead as they allowed only a single goal from the field by Bud Light/ERG. Two penalty goals were scored by Bud Light/ERG, but two goals from the field from Scott Devon and Brandon Phillips gave Catamount a 7-4 edge after four chukkers.
In the fifth chukker, Bud Light ERG scored two goals while holding Catamount to a single score, but that would be as close as it would get.
In the final period of play, Catamount outscored Bud Light 4-1, and easily coasted to the final 12-7 victory.
Catamount team captain Scott Devon and 8-goaler phenom Nick Roldan scored two goals apiece and Todd Offen added a single goal.
Julio Gracida led Bud Light/ERG with four goals. Hector Galindo scored twice and Roberto added a single goal.
In Wednesday’s semifinals, Isla Carroll will face Skeeterville and Catamount will meet Pony Express.