AIKEN, SC — With all the pre-match publicity on the high-goal Aiken resident polo professionals, it was five-goaler Martin Zeggers from Chile who stole the show, scoring eight goals in Goose Creek’s 13 – 11 victory over Dahlwood in the Gold Cup Polo Tournament in Aiken Sunday.
Like a wide receiver continually breaking loose of coverage and reeling in perfect passes, Zeggars tallied eight goals and was easily the game’s most valuable player.
With team patron Maureen Brennan playing No. 1, but with the role of tying up Dahlwood forward David Wigdahl, Zeggars said after the match he was able to play a wide open forward. Time after time he was on the receiving end of precise passes from his team’s stars, 9-goal player Adam Snow of Aiken and eight-goaler Mariano Gonzalez of Argentina.
“Today was a special day. Thank God, my shots went through and it was a wonderful day,” said Zeggars as he rested in the team cabana before a rousing trophy ceremony in front of the 1,500 fans at New Bridge Polo and Country Club about four miles east of Aiken.
“We knew it was going to be a tough day and that they were a powerful team,” said Goose Creek patron Maureen Brennan after the match. “So our game plan was to attack early and we came out scoring, boom, boom, boom. And Martin was on fire today,” said Brennan, the only amateur and the only woman playing in the high-goal tournament.
Most of the pre-match buzz was about a showdown between Aiken residents eight-goaler Julio Arellano and Snow, but Arellano failed to score for early tournament favorite Dahlwood and Snow scored just once, although he fed Zeggars for open runs at goal all afternoon.
New Bridge, the undefeated home team, plays Stella Artois on Saturday in their final preliminary. The other four teams, Stella Artois, Zenas, Goose Creek and Dahlwood play Thursday to decide which two teams play for the Gold Cup on Sunday, Oct. 1.
New Bridge, with the world’s number one player Adolfo Cambiaso, stands as the favorite to make the finals, both with their 3-0 record and their sterling goal differential standing. Goose Creek at 2-1 made a major statement to make the Gold Cup final with their victory. They play 0-3 Zenas in the deciding match Thursday.