Restoration Hardware Claims 2018 Maserati of Santa Barbara USPA America Cup

After two and a half weeks of play, the conclusion of the 2018 Maserati of Santa Barbara USPA America Cup saw Restoration Hardware continue their undefeated play, defeating Lucchese 10-9 on Field 2 at Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. With the semi-final and final decided by just one goal, the excitement leading into the final 16-goal tournament of the season, leaves every team with a chance in the upcoming Pacific Coast Open.

With Restoration Hardware advancing directly to the finals with a 4-0 record, the semi-final featured a closely fought game between Klentner Ranch and Lucchese. Dominating the opening two chukkas, Lucchese won all six throw-ins and outshot Klentner Ranch 9-1 but found themselves tied at 3-3. Klentner Ranch found their stride in the third chukka due to six Lucchese fouls that resulted in two penalty goals and two field goals for Klentner Ranch as they opened up a two-goal lead. Led by four goals from Jesse Bray in the opening half, Klentner Ranch converted their few opportunities, while Lucchese continued to shoot at goal but their inaccuracy left them trailing. 

Entering the second half, Klentner Ranch’s struggles to generate offense continued to be a factor as they failed to score in the fourth and fifth chukkas. Seven more shots from Lucchese displayed their performance in controlling possession but converting just two of those seven shots kept Lucchese from grabbing the lead and left the two teams in a 7-7 tie heading into the final chukka. Awarded with four penalty attempts, Klentner Ranch had their opportunity to win the semi-final, but after missing three of those four attempts, it was Carlos Ulloa for Lucchese that scored twice from the field to send his team into the finals with the exciting 9-8 victory. 

The final between Restoration Hardware and Lucchese featured the top two scoring leaders of the tournament in Facundo Obregon and Ignacio Laprida, but the game got off to a slow start with seven combined fouls in the opening chukka resulting in just one penalty goal for each team. Throughout the remainder of the first half, Restoration Hardware improved their discipline, while Lucchese continued to foul at a high rate leading to three more penalty goals for Ignacio Laprida. Scoring just one field goal, Lucchese found themselves trailing by three at halftime, while Restoration Hardware’s Laprida continued to showcase his 8-goal status in managing his team effectively and providing a strong defensive effort with Santiago Von Wernich.

Restoration Hardware continued to control open play and limit the opportunities for Lucchese, holding them to just two total shots, while in the duo of Laprida and Von Wernich paced the Restoration Hardware offense as they scored a goal each in the fourth and fifth chukkas. Fortunately for Lucchese, they forced Restoration Hardware into seven fouls over those two chukkas with Facundo Obregon converting three of his four attempts to keep Lucchese within reach, trailing by four entering the final chukka. Protecting their lead, Restoration Hardware sat back, failing to record a shot on goal and allowed Lucchese to attack relentlessly. Field goals from Jeff Hall and Carlos Ulloa, along with a penalty goal from Obregon suddenly brought Lucchese within one goal, but Restoration Hardware managed the clock late to hold on for the victory and claim the 2018 Maserati of Santa Barbara USPA America Cup.