Klentner Ranch Wins USPA Lucchese Heritage Cup

Klentner Ranch takes home USPA Lucchese Heritage Cup in OT

Klentner Ranch captured the USPA Lucchese Heritage Cup in daring style, taking the Lucchese team into overtime after six hard fought chukkers of play. Lucchese and Klentner Ranch set the tone for the game in the first chukker racing up and down the length of the field.

Jeff Hall and Tete Grahn started the game off strong for the Lucchese team each scoring a goal from the field. Nacho Badiola took over, stealing the show as he scored four consecutive goals in the second chukker putting Lucchese ahead 6-0. Time was running out for Klentner Ranch to make their move. Steve Kreuger took advantage of a loose ball and scored the first goal for his team to end the second chukker 6-1 in favor of Lucchese.

Badiola answered back early in the third to maintain Lucchese’s six goal lead. Though Klentner Ranch faced an uphill battle, they took the challenge in stride scoring three goals in the third chukker to bring the score 7-4 going into half time.

A lively Zumba group danced the half time away with their flash mob performance and got the crowd ready for a fierce second half.

The fast style of play with long passes and coast to coast runs kept spectators cheering and on their toes as Klentner made a strong second half comeback.

After a few missed scoring opportunities, Klentner Ranch refocused and began chipping away at the Lucchese lead outscoring them 3-1 in the fourth chukker to bring them within one goal 8-7.

Azzaro tied the score for the first time in the match with a goal from the field early in the fifth chukker. Badiola converted two penalties to put Lucchese back on top. The chukker ended with a second goal by Azzaro and a one goal difference 10-9 in favor of Lucchese.

Players raced end to end in an attempt to put their team on top in the sixth chukker with neither team succeeding. Klentner Ranch was awarded a penalty one after Bray was fouled trying to tap the ball through the goal, tying the score 10-10.

The overtime period began with a Lucchese knock in, giving them the early advantage. Hall went streaking down the middle of the field, his team blocking opponents on either side. Bray took off running from the back of the pack and caught Hall, preventing him from being shooting. Teamwork came into play as Azzaro took control of the ball and passed to Bray on the sideboards. Bray took control of the ball, launching it down to teammate Kreuger who was able to score the winning goal on a hard neck shot.
Mike Azzaro was awarded MVP and his mare “Gypsy Girl” won her second Best Playing Pony of the summer season at Santa Barbara Polo.

Photo credits: David Lominska // Polographics.com