moretagLECHUZA CARACAS, AUDI, PONY EXPRESS AND BLACK WATCH TO ADVANCE
PIAGET GOLD CUP SEMI-FINALS
WELLINGTON, FL — Four teams advanced to the semi-finals of the Piaget Gold Cup today at International Polo Club Palm Beach.
The first team to advance was Lechuza Caracas as they completed Saturday’s rain-delayed match, defeating 2008 Piaget Gold Cup Champion Las Monjitas 11-7. The Venezuelan quartet will face Pony Express who defeated Zacara 15-14 in sudden death overtime. Team patron Bob Daniels scored the winning goal 20 seconds into overtime with a near side shot. Pony Express was trailing Zacara at the end of the fifth by one, 12-11, after Pelon Stirling fell from his horse. The game was delayed and Stirling came back to score two from the field in the sixth to put his team up 13-12. However, not to be undone, Zacara also scored two in the sixth chukker to regain the lead 14-13 before Pony Express’ Matias Magrini scored to tie it at the end of regulation play.
In another game, Orchard Hill upset Audi 11-9. However, due to tournament rankings, Audi will advance to the semi-finals taking on Black Watch, who also lost today. Black Watch played in the day’s featured game on the International Field and Stadium, but was narrowly defeated by White Birch 12-11.
“It just was not enough to get us into the semi-finals.” said White Birch’s Bensadon, who was named the match’s most valuable player. White Birch missed the tournament cut by one goal. “Every detail is important when you need goals.”
White Birch trailed Black Watch through the end of the fifth when Mariano Aguerre scored his second goal of the day taking the lead 9-8.
“I knew we could turn it around,” said Aguerre, who doesn’t credit his goal, but rather a change in game strategy for the win, utilizing patience and relaxation.
Semi-final action will begin on Wednesday, March 25 when Audi will take on Black Watch at 10:30 a.m. followed by Lechuza Caracas who will face Pony Express at 5 p.m.
The USPA Gold Cup has been played since 1974 and 2009 marks the third year for the tournament at International Polo Club Palm Beach. This year the eight team field has been divided into two brackets. First and second place from each bracket will cross play in the semi finals and the winners move to the Gold Cup Final on Sunday March 29.
International Polo is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments through April and all are invited to attend. The premier game of the week is played at 3 PM every Sunday on the International Field and Stadium. Game information can be obtained by calling the polo hotline at 561-282-5290. Ticket and other information is at 561-204-5687 or on the web at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
AUDI 1-2-1-3-1-1= 9 (Facundo Pieres 4)
ORCHARD HILL 1-0-3-2-3-2 =11(Pablo MacDonough 8)
LECHUZA CARACAS 2-1-3-0-3-2 = 11 (Sapo Caset, Juan Martin Nero 4)
LAS MONJITAS 0-1-2-2-0-2 = 7 (Nacho Astrada 5)
PONY EXPRESS 1-3-1-4-2-3-1 =15 (Nic Roldan, Matias Magrini 5)
ZACARA 4-1-1-2-4-2 = 14 (Jeff Hall 8)
WHITE BIRCH 1-2-1-2-3-3 = 12 (Pancho Bensadon 8)
BLACK WATCH 2-2-2-2-0-3 = 11 (Luis Escobar 4)