By Alex Webbe
Santa Clara led from start to finish in the 16-goal Everglades Classic at the International Polo Club in Wellington Saturday morning as they defeated Faraway, 13-9.
Two unanswered goals from Carlucho Arellano had Santa Clara ahead, 2-0, after the opening chukker. A missed 60-yard penalty shot kept Faraway off of the scoreboard in the opening period of play.
A pair of goals from Pablo Spinacci had Santa Clara leading by a score of 4-1 after the second chukker. Mike Azzaro converted a Safety for Faraway’s first goal of the game.
Santa Clara fouls allowed Faraway to register some third period goals. Mason Wroe converted two 40-yard penalty shots for goals with Julian Daniels adding another penalty goal to the Faraway total. Santa Clara responded with two penalty goals from Arellano and a goal from the field from Spinacci. The first half ended with Santa Clara ahead by three goals, 7-4.
The two teams exchanged goals in the fourth, with Azzaro converting a penalty shot for a goal and adding a goal from the field. A penalty goal from Carlos Avendano and a goal from the field from Arellano kept Santa Clara in the lead by three goals, 9-6.
Santa Clara slammed the door on Faraway in the fifth chukker. Single goals from Avendano, Spinacci and Arellano (penalty goal) had Faraway trailing by five goals, 12-7. Azzaro scored the team’s only goal (penalty) of the chukker.
Arellano added a goal in the final chukker with Azzaro scoring twice for Faraway in the 13-9 Santa Clara win.
Arellano led the field with seven goals for Santa Clara. Spinacci scored four times and Avendano added a pair of goals in the victory.
Azzaro led the Faraway attack with six goals (four on penalty shots). Wroe accounted for two penalty goals, with Daniels getting credit for a penalty goal as well.
EQUUS 12, JAN PAMELA/PARROT HEADS 10.5
In the 12-goal Jan Pamela Challenge Cup Pro-Am, Equus downed Jan Pamela/Parrot Heads12-10.5 with nearly every player on the field scoring.
Jan Pamela/Parrot Heads received a half-goal by handicap and added two more goals (Jeff Blake) to it for a first chukker 2½-1 lead. Adrian Wade scored the only goal of the chukker for Equus.
Jan Pamela/Parrot Heads maintained their lead after second chukker action that saw Garrick Steele score from the field for Equus and Steve Dalton reply with a 40-yard penalty goal for Jan Pamela/Parrot Heads. Equus trailed, 3½-2
Equus finally took the lead in the third, picking up a pair of goals from Wade (one from the field and one by penalty) and a penalty goal from Andres James. Blake scored for Jan Pamela/Parrot Heads, but Equus would hold the 5-4½ lead at the end of the first half.
Equus added two goals in the fourth from James (one from the field and one on penalty). Jan Pamela/Parrot Heads responded with penalty goals from Garrison and Dalton. Equus continued to lead, 7-6½.
The two teams exchanged goals in the fifth with Dalton converting two penalty shots for goals and Blake adding a goal from the field. Equus answered with single goals from Jared Zenni, James and Wade. After five chukkers of play, Equus led 10-9½.
Dalton scored another penalty goal in the sixth, but a goal from the field from James and a 40-yard penalty goal from Wade gave Equus the 12-10½ victory.
Wade and James scored five goals apiece (each scored two on penalty shots) for Equus. Teammates Steele (penalty) and Zenni added single goals for the win.
Dalton scored all five of his goals on penalty shots. Blake added four goals (one by penalty) and Garrison added a goal.