After an extended break due to rain, Saratoga Polo resumed play on Friday with the Army Cup, a tough match that Dos Perros broke open in the end, triumphing over Estrella 11-8 after six tough chukkers in the setting sun.
Dos Perros started off the match with a goal due on handicap, but Tony Coppola tied things up for Estrella right off the bat with the first of his three goals. Cuko Escapite responded to get the lead back, but then Gene Gass responded in kind to tie it up again. Escapite had another to regain the lead for Dos Perros and close out the first chukker.
This back and fourth prevailed throughout the first half, with neither team letting the other get up by more than a goal. The second half was slightly more lopsided.
Escapite, in his first match at Saratoga Polo this season, was all over the field breaking up and creating plays, scoring at least once in each chukker and finishing with 8 goals to lead all scorers. While his offensive output kept putting Dos Perros on the board throughout the match, Estrella was held to only 2 goals in the second half: one in the fourth from Coppola and another from George Hearst right at the end of regulation.
In addition to Escapite and the handicap goal, Dos Perros got one score apiece from the husband/wife team of Will and Tab Orthwein.
While Coppola lead the runners-up with 3 tallies, Heart and Ricky Bostwick had 2 markers apiece for Estrella.
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Cup Tournament will start on Sunday, July 9th after being postponed due to rain with matches at 2pm and 5:30pm. Matches will be played every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday until Labor Day weekend. For more information, call 518-584-8108 or visit saratogapolo.com.
Total Goals Scored
Estrella – 8
George Hearst – 2
Tony Coppola – 3
Ricky Bostwick – 2
Gene Gass – 1
Dos Perros – 11 (+1 on handicap)
Tab Orthwein – 1
Rick Baum – 0
Will Orthwein – 1
Cuko Escapite – 8