PINECROFT DEFEATS MORGAN CREEK TO WIN MORGAN CREEK CUP
By Karen Martino
Pinecroft, winner of the Morgan Creek Cup: Tomas Collingwood, Francisco Bilbao, Antonio Galvan and Jim Drury.
Antonio Galvan scored 10 goals to lead Pinecroft to a 12-7 victory in the Morgan Creek Cup on August 31 at the Morgan Creek Polo Club. The tournament was hosted by the Chicago International Polo Club.
The 12-goal Pinecroft team has put on a strong showing so far this summer, with Tomas Collingwood, Francisco Bilbao, Galvan and Jim Drury proving to be the team to beat.
Morgan Creek’s Dean Kleronomos, Julian Aguilar, Vale Aguilar and Angelo Kleronomos stayed neck-and-neck with Pinecroft during the first half, for a half-time score of 4-all. The fourth chukker belonged to Galvan, however, as he put four more goals on the scoreboard (three were penalty conversions). Julian Aguilar added his third goal of the day, a Penalty 2 conversion, for a score of 8-5 at chukker’s end. Bilbao and Galvan added two goals each in the fifth to pull ahead 10-5.
Galvan continued his scoring spree in the final chukker, converting a Penalty 2, while Bilbao added another goal from the field. Julian Aguilar and Vale Aguilar each found the mark for Morgan Creek, for a final score of 12-7 in favor of Pinecroft.
Galvan’s excellent play earned him the Most Valuable Player award, while Julian Aguilar’s 7-year-old American Thoroughbred mare, Samantha, won Best Playing Pony honors. “I’m very happy she won,” Aguilar said. “She is a very good horse, and she always plays well for me.”
Morgan Creek Cup Teams
Pinecroft – Tomas Collingwood (1), Francisco Bilbao (6), Antonio Galvan (5), Jim Drury (0).
Morgan Creek – Dean Kleronomos (2), Julian Aguilar (4), Vale Aguilar (6), Angelo Kleronomos (0).
Villa del Lago – Jim Zenni (0), Augustin Aguilar (2), Mariano Obregon Jr. (6), Rafael Obregon (3).
Arranmore – John Greene (1), Tod Rackley (3), Miguel Gutierrez (4), Tim Greene (2).
