The Greenwich season ended on with an exciting game as White Birch topped Heathcote Farm, 12-9 in the Veuve Cliquot Final.
Up 2-0 by handicap, Heathcote made it 3-0 as Magoo LaPrida Snaked his way through the defense for a field goal. Later in the chukker White Birch got on the board when Mariano Aguerre lofted a pass from midfield to Martin Donovan, who shot the ball in, making it 3-1. A penalty conversion by Peter Brant made it 3-2, and after one chukker White Birch had tied it 3-3. They looked like they might run away in the second, going up 5-3, but a bouncing shot by Gaston Lisioli made it 5-4. Early in the third chukker LaPrida took off and headed up field to tie the game at 5-5. Aguerre connected on a penalty shot and then after several taps on the ball, it rolled in. A penalty conversion by Lisioli cut the score to 7-6. It stayed that way because Heathcote patron Steve Lefkowitz made a big play, clearing the ball away from the front of the goal, late in the first half. Things went White Birch’s way, while Heathcote struggled in the fifth chukker. A key play saw Aguerre who was surrounded by blue shirts, still grab the ball, and drew a foul which Brant converted. Three times during the chukker White Birch was able to clear the ball, and at its end, White Birch was ahead, 10-7. Victory was assured mere seconds into the final chukker as Aguerre grabbed the ball off the throw-in, and raced away to score.
LaPrida was the day’s MVP.
HEATCHCOTE FARM: Steve Lefkowitz (0), Magoo LaPrida (7), Gaston Lisioli (6), Naco Taverna (5) =18
WHITE BIRCH FARM: Martin Donovan (3), Chris Nevins (4), Mariano Aguerre (10), Peter Brant (3) =20