Semi-Finals Set in 2018 Silver Air Pacific Coast Open

Entering the final weekend of the 2018 Silver Air Pacific Coast Open, the semi-final match-ups have been determined after a few tense games to end group play. Holding a 3-1 record and facing a bye for the final set of games, Restoration Hardware saw the game outcomes finish in their favour to claim the top seed. The remaining three positions were determined in the final two games, with the four teams battling for three spots. A comeback win for Lucchese over Farmers & Merchants Bank (FMB) secured their spot in the semi-finals with a 2-2 record, while FMB’s fate was left to the final game. In an exciting overtime affair, it was Sol de Agosto that needed a victory over Klentner Ranch or their tournament was over. Paco de Narvaez’s penalty 3 conversion sent Sol de Agosto into the semi-finals, while FMB was eliminated from contention. Thursday’s semi-finals appear destined to produce close games with the first semi-final featuring a rematch between Klentner Ranch and Sol de Agosto, while the second semi-final sees Restoration Hardware face Lucchese, whose last three games against each other have been decided by just one goal each time. 

Leading the way throughout the tournament, Restoration Hardware’s only loss in their last 9 games at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club came at the hands of Klentner Ranch in a game that needed overtime. A slow start from Restoration Hardware saw them convert just 2 of their 9 shots in the opening half, while Klentner Ranch opened up a three-goal lead. Klentner Ranch extended that lead to four in the fourth chukka as they looked to run away with the game, but Restoration Hardware responded with a dominant 5-0 fifth chukka, shooting 5 for 5 from the field, led by three goals from tournament scoring leader Ignacio Laprida to take the lead. Despite conceding their large lead, Klentner Ranch sent the game into overtime, with Mariano Obregon carrying his team, scoring both goals in the sixth chukka along with the overtime winning goal to hand Restoration Hardware their only loss. 

Restoration Hardware bounced back in their following game against Sol de Agosto but required another comeback to claim the top seed in the semi-finals. Their offense struggled early in the game, converting just 2 of their 9 shot attempts in the opening chukka, but they remained in the game behind the penalty shooting of Laprida, who converted five penalty attempts. Holding a one-goal lead heading into the sixth chukka, Sol de Agosto saw their lead slip away, conceding two penalty goals to Laprida and a field goal to Geronimo Obregon as Restoration Hardware stole a late victory to remain as the top team in the tournament. 

After their loss, Sol de Agosto faced a crucial game against Klentner Ranch, with a win booking their spot in the semi-finals, while a loss would eliminate them from the tournament. While Klentner Ranch already secured their spot in the semi-finals, a win would place them first, providing incentive in a tense game. After Mariano Obregon’s two goals in the opening chukka gave Klentner Ranch the one-goal lead, the teams traded goals throughout the rest of the game, with Klentner Ranch maintaining their one-goal lead all the way until the end of the fifth chukka. Sol de Agosto finally broke through to tie the game at 7-7 after keeping Klentner Ranch off the scoreboard in the fifth and sixth chukkas. With Paco de Narvaez tying the game with little time remaining, he converted a penalty 3 in overtime just 30 seconds into the extra chukka to keep his team’s tournament alive. 

The last spot featured a battle between Lucchese and Farmers & Merchants Bank, with both teams needing a victory to claim the fourth spot in the semi-finals. After their opening win, Lucchese fell to Restoration Hardware by one and lost to Sol de Agosto in overtime in back-to-back games, with only a play or two in each game, placing them at a 1-2 record.  Foul trouble early for Lucchese, led to FMB claiming the early 6-4 lead, with a balanced offense producing two goals each from Danny Walker and Nachi Viana. Keeping their two-goal lead into the second half, Lucchese fought their way back with second leading scorer Facundo Obregon stepping up offensively. Trailing by one in the final chukka, Lucchese scored three consecutive goals, including a final penalty 3 conversion from Obregon to claim the thrilling 13-11 victory.

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