By Alex Webbe
La Casa Hermosa captured the 2012 Freebooters Classic Championship in an 11-7 win over Goose Creek Saturday morning in the finals at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
After missing an earlier penalty shot, Jeff Blake converted a 60-yard and then a 40-yard shot for goals to give La Casa Hermosa an early 2-0 lead. Tano vial got Goose Creek on the scoreboard with a penalty goal of his own and the first chukker ended with La Casa Hermosa protecting a 2-1 advantage.
La Casa Hermosa continued to press the Goose Creek defense in the second chukker with Jeff Blake adding three consecutive goals to the pot. Vial answered with another single penalty goal but at the end of two periods, Goose Creek was trailing by three goals, 5-2.
Jeff Blake and Vial exchanged penalty goals for the only scoring in the third chukker as La Casa Hermosa rode off of the field at the end of the first half with a 6-3 lead.
Goose Creek’s Steve Krueger drew first blood in the second half, opening the fourth chukker with a goal from the field and cutting into the La Casa Hermosa lead, 6-4. Chris Nevins converted a 40-yard penalty shot, however, and La Casa Hermosa continued to lead by three goals, 7-4.
Cote Zegers scored his first goal of the game in the fifth followed by another goal from Krueger. Goose Creek trailed by a single goal, 7-6 when La Casa Hermosa retaliated. A 60-yard penalty goal from Jeff Blake and a goal from the field from Nevins closed out the chukker with La Casa Hermosa ahead, 9-6.
Vial scored one last goal for Goose Creek in the sixth while an oppressive La Casa Hermosa defense continued to keep them off balance. A pair of goals from Brad Blake was credited to La Casa Hermosa in the final chukker in the 11-7 win.
Jeff Blake led the field with seven goals on the day. Teammates Nevins and Brad Blake scored two goals apiece. Brad Blake was also named MVP for his efforts. Jeff Blake’s Jack was honored as Best Playing Pony.
Vial set the pace for the Goose Creek attack with four goals. Krueger scored twice and Zegers added a goal in a losing effort.