Los Machitos/Heathcote (Steve Lefkowitz, Sterling Giannico, Matias Magrini and Hilario Ulloa) had a three goal breakout second chukker that propelled them toward a 7-4 halftime lead and a 13-11 win over a talented young Palm Beach Illustrated (Jared Zenni, Marianito Obregon, Carlucho Arellano and Guille Aguero) team in Saturday afternoon’s Iglehart Cup final at the International Polo Club.
Los Machitos/Heathcote-L to R-Matias Magrini, Hilario Ulloa, Brenda Dupont, Sterling Giannico and Steve Lefkowitz. (Photo by Alex Pacheco)
The two teams measured one another guardedly in the opening chukker with Palm Beach Illustrated scoring first on goals from Carlucho Arellano and Guille Aguero, 2-0. Los Machitos/Heathcote responded with single goals from Matias Magrini (Penalty conversion) and Sterling Giannico to tie it up at 2-2 to end the first chukker.
Light out defense by Los Machitos/Heathcote in the second period kept Palm Beach Illustrated from scoring while Los Machitos/Heathcote went on a tear. Consecutive penalty goals from Magrini were followed by a goal from the field from Sterling Giannico for a 5-2 advantage.
Magrini added two more goals in the third (one on a penalty shot), but they were countered by goals from Marianito Obregon (penalty conversion) and Guille Aguero. Los Machitos/Heathcote continued to lead at the end of the first half by three goals, 7-4.
Three fourth chukker goals extended the Los Machitos/Heathcote lead to four goals as Hilario Ulloa scored twice and Giannico added a goal. Palm Beach Illustrated picked up single goals from Obregon and Arellano, but fell behind, 10-6.
The two teams exchanged goals in the fifth with Obregon and Arellano converting penalty shots for goals while Los Machitos/Heathcote team captain Steve Lefkowitz and teammate Ulloa each scored a goal from the field. The Los Machitos/Heathcote four goal lead held at 12-8.
Giannico’s fourth goal of the game had Los Machitos/Heathcote in front by five goals, 13-8 when Palm Beach Illustrated attempted a late game rally. Obregon scored twice (one on a penalty shot) and Arellano added a goal, but time ran out as Los Machitos/Heathcote coasted to the 13-11 victory.
The veteran Magrini led Los Machitos/Heathcote with five goals (four on penalty conversions). Giannico scored four times and earned MVP honors. Ulloa was credited with three scored and Lefkowitz scored once in the win. Obregon scored three of his team-high five goals on penalty shots. Arellano scored four times (twice on penalty conversions). Aguero added two goals in the loss.
Magrini’s Buddha earned Best Playing Pony honors.