Heathcote Farm edged Topping Farm/AIG 9-8 today in the AIG match at Greenwich. The match saw changes of lead and ties as the two 18-goal teams battled it out. Heathcote jumped to a 3-0 in the first chukker on one field goal by Gaston Lisioli, and two by Magoo LaPrida. Lisoli scored the initial goal in the second, for a 4-0 lead, before Topping Pond/AIG’s Chino Fraysinnet made two field goals, cutting the lead to 4-2. This gave Topping Pond/AIG momenteum going into the third, and Fraysinnet charged straight ahead to, put in the ball in, and make the score 4-3, Heathcote. Later in the chukker Pablo Spinacci lofted a blast which went in, and the match was tied at the half.
The fourth and fifth chukkers saw AIG blanked. A key defensive play came when a shot by Nick Manifold was blocked right before crossing the goal line by LaPrida. Lisioli made all four goals, two each chukker, that were recorded by Heatchote in the fourth and fifth chukkers. They included the day’s lone penalty shot, in a match that was low in penalties.
Heatchote thus held an 8-4 lead entering the sixth chukker.
AIG made a contest of it in that last chukker. First Fraysinnet had a goal. Then Steve Lefkowitz brought the margin back to three, 9-5, as he connected on a nice angle shot, for what was to be the game winner. Topping Pond/AIG fought until the end, Off the next throw-in, Ralph Giorgio. Spinacci scored twice, however his second goal came with 10 seconds remaining to play.
Lisioli’s five goals was the match high. Fraysinet led Topping Pond/AIG with four goals.
LlaPrida had the paly of the day, when he picked up a loose ball by the boards and tossed it over his head, and kept possession of it.
MVP- Luke Tomlinson
BPP- Garota. Played by Aguerre in 4th
HEATCHOTE: Steve Lefkowitz (0), Magoo LaPrida (7), Gaston Lisioli (6) Naco Taverna (5).
TOPPING POND/AIG: Ralph Giorgio (0), Nick Manifold (2), Chino Fraysinnet (7), Pablo Spinacci (6)