Felipe Viana scored a game-high five goals for Travieso in the 12-8 win Tuesday at the Grand Champions Polo Club. (Photo by Alex Pacheco)
A disciplined Travieso polo team (Teo Calle, Tony Calle, Felipe Viana and Alfredo Capella) took control early in the handicap final of the 16-goal Santa Rita Abierto at the Grand Champions Polo Club to defeat High Ground/GSA (Joe Meyer, Henry Porter, Juan Zubia and Matias Magrini) 10-8.
High Ground/GSA received one goal by handicap but watches as Travieso took the 2-1 lead on penalty goals from Felipe Viana and Tony Calle. High Ground/GSA was unable to score from the field and trailed 2-1 after the first chukker.
Alfredo Capella and Felipe Viana added single goals in the second period as they stretched the Travieso lead to 4-0. High Ground/GSA responded with a 40-yrd penalty goal from Matias Magrini followed by a goal from the field. High Ground/GSA kept within a goal of the lead, 4-3.
Viana scored the first two goals of the third chukker with a goal from the field followed by a 40-yard penalty conversion, 6-3. Juan Zubia countered with a pair of goals of his own for High Ground/GSA, 6-5. Capella scored the final goal of the period, giving Travieso a two goal, 7-5 lead at the end of the first half of play.
Tony Calle’s second goal of the day extended the Travieso lead to three goals, 8-5. Magrini answered back with a 30-yard penalty goal, 8-6 and Zubia brought High Ground/GSA to within a goal of the lead, once again, 8-7 to end the chukker.
Tony Calle opened the scoring in the fifth chukker with a goal from the field followed by a penalty goal from Viana for a 10-7 advantage. High Ground/GSA managed a single goal from Zubia but trailed by two goals, 10-8 with one period remaining in regulation play.
The final period belonged to Travieso with shutout defense and a pair of goals from Capella for the 12-8 victory.
Viana led all scoring with five goals (three on penalty conversions).
Capella added four goals and Tony Calle was credited with three goals on the day (one on a penalty shot). Zubia set the pace for the High Ground/GSA attack with four goals. Magrini scored three times (twice on penalty conversions) and the team received one goal by handicap.
The Grand Champions Polo Club is located at 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 33414. The matches are free of charge and the public is invited to attend. The Grand Champions Polo Hotline is 561-373-0073.