Floridian Community Bank (Diego Arellano, Gabriel Crespo, Whistle Uys and Stevie Orthwein) scored the first two goals of the game but that would be their last lead as Tonkawa (Jeff Hildebrand, Agustin Arellano, Brandon Phillips and Nic Roldan) jumped all over them through the balance of the game on their way to an 11-7 win in the 14-goal Wanderers Classic at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
Gabriel Crespo scored the first goal of the game followed by a goal from teammate Stevie Orthwein for a 2-0 Floridian Community Bank lead. Nic Roldan responded with a converted penalty shot, and Agustin Arellano (son of American 9-goaler Julio Arellano) tied it up at 2-2.
Jeff Hildebrand gave Tonkawa its first lead of the game with the opening goal of the second period, 3-2. Roldan scored from the field for a 4-2 advantage, but a scrappy Floridian Community Bank team fought back. Orthwein cut the Tonkawa lead to a single goal with his second goal of the game, 4-3. Brandon Phillips converted a penalty shot for a goal and Agustin Arellano closed out the chukker with a goal to give Tonkawa a 6-3 lead.
South African 5-goaler Whistle Uys opened the third chukker with a goal from the field for Floridian Community Bank as the team tried to mount a rally. Tonkawa’s defense tightened, however, and Phillips converted a pair of penalty shots to ride off with a four goal lead, 8-4.
The pace in the second half continued to build with a Tonkawa foul resulting in a Floridian Community Bank penalty goal (Stevie Orthwein). Phillips answered for Tonkawa with his fourth goal of the game. The fourth chukker ended with Tonkawa holding a 9-5 advantage.
Floridian Community Bank team continued to press the attack into the fifth chukker and Tonkawa continued to successfully defend. Roldan’s third goal of the morning gave Tonkawa a five goal, 10-5 lead, but it was short-lived. Diego Arellano (Agustin Arellano’s uncle) registered his first score of the game, but the Floridian Community Bank polo team continued to trail, 10-6.
Crespo scored the opening goal of the final chukker but that was the extent of the Floridian Community Bank rally. Disciplined defense carried the day for Tonkawa, with Phillips closing out the game with his fifth goal in the 11-7 victory.
Phillips led all scoring with five goals. Roldan scored three times and Agustin Arellano added two goals. Hildebrand added a goal for the win.
Orthwein led the Floridian Community Bank attack with three goals. Crespo scored twice and Diego Arellano and Uys added single goals in the loss.
Wanderers Classic play will continue on Saturday, January 12th when Tonkawa (1-0) meets Mt. Brilliant/Equine Law Group in a 10am contest.