By Alex Webbe
Five goals in the fifth chukker reversed the fortunes of the Lucchese (2-1) team as it took a 9-6 lead into the final chukker of play in Iglehart Cup competition at the International Polo Club in Wellington Thursday afternoon on its way to a 10-9 win over Tommy Lee Jones’s San Saba (2-2) foursome.
“I don’t think we ever felt like we were behind,” said Lucchese 6-goaler Andres Weisz, “even as we trailed by two goals. We began to focus more in the fourth chukker,” he added, “we concentrated on defense and forgot about scoring, that’s when we got back into the game.”
After trailing 4-3 at halftime, Lucchese saw San Saba take a 6-4 lead into the fifth chukker.
“We had some bad breaks in the first few chukkers,” said Lucchese 9-goaler Mike Azzaro. “We probably should have had at least three more goals in the first half alone.”
Lucchese made up for it in the fifth. Scoring five unanswered goals, Lucchese tied and then went ahead of San Saba 9-6.
Weisz opened the final chukker with a goal to make it 10-6 before San Saba could answer.
The San Saba attack pressed the Lucchese goal, resulting in a couple of penalties. Sapo Caset converted two penalty shots and teammate Toto Collardin added a single goal from the field, but time ran out with Lucchese on top of a 10-9 score.
“Focus, was the key,” said Lucchese team captain John Muse, “we focused on our responsibilities on the field and took the game.”
Andres Weisz led all scoring with six goals. Mike Azzaro added four in the win.
San Saba’s Sapo Caset scored five times. Toto Collardin and Carlucho Arellano scored two goals apiece.
ISLA CARROLL 16, LECHUZA CARACAS 15 in OT
In earlier Iglehart Cup competition Isla Carroll (1-1) led Lechuza Caracas (0-2) through the first four chukkers of the game until Lechuza Caracas got back into it on the fifth chukker with a balanced attack that tied the game at 13-13. Lechuza scored the first two goals of the sixth chukker to take a 15-13 lead as Guille Aguero scored from the field and Santiago Toccalino added a goal from the field.
Isla Carroll regrouped and made a run at Lechuza with time running out. Owen Rinehart scored a goal from the field, followed by a penalty conversation from Todd Offen for the 15-15 tie in regulation play.
Less than two minutes into overtime, Rinehart jumped on a loose ball in front of the Lechuza goal and hammered it through for the 16-15 overtime win.
Todd Offen led Isla Carroll with eight goals. Sugar Erskine scored three times. Owen Rinehart added four goals to the pot and team captain John Goodman added a goal in the victory.
Guille Aguero scored six goals for Lechuza Caracas. Nicolas Espain added four goals; Victor Vargas added three goals and Santiago Toccalino scored twice.
BTA SCORES 9-8 WIN OVER MT. BRILLIANT
Iglehart Cup action opened for the day with BTA (1-2) scoring a 908 win over Mt. Brilliant (0-3) in an effort to stay in competition in the 2009 Iglehart Cup.
In a low scoring first chukker that saw only three goals scored, Mt. Brilliant jumped out to a one goal lead that grew to a 5-3 advantage at the end of the first half.
A bouncy field had the ball hopping over mallets as players struggled to control the play as both pressed their attacks.
In the fourth period, BTA scored four goals while holding Mt. Brilliant to a single goal, taking a 7-6 lead in the process.
In the fifth chukker, Hector Galindo scored his second goal of the game while managing to shut down the Mt. Brilliant attack, and BTA led 8-6.
Single goals from Pelon Escapite and Marianito Obregon tied the game at sight goals apiece before Pablo Spinacci managed the winning goal for BTA.
Pablo Spinacci scored four goal for BTA. Jeff Blake and Hector Galindo scored two goals each and K. C. Beal added a single goal for the win.
Marianito Obregon scored four times for Mt. Brilliant. Santiago Chavanne and Pelon Escapite scored two goals apiece.
Iglehart Cup competition continues on Sunday, February 15 with four games. In the 10 am games, Audi will play Mt. Brilliant while BTA takes on an improving Lucchese team. Carlos Gracida and the Patagones team will meet Isla Carroll at noon while Lechuza Caracas and EFG Bank will face off at 3pm.