La Dolfina/Tamera won the final of the U.S. Open Polo Championship on Sunday 20th April, winning 12-8 against La Dolfina/Catamount at the National Polo Center in an exciting and explosive final.
La Dolfina/ Tamera, winners of the CV Whitney have improved throughout the tournament series and are the only unbeaten team in the US Open with Adolfo Cambiaso captaining and getting the best from his side while La Dolfina/ Catamount have had an impressive season, leading in goals and accuracy throughout the Gauntlet thanks to leader Poroto.
This match was a repeat of last year’s final with Cambiaso vs Cambiaso. With Adolfo Cambiaso having been runner up two years running, he was as determined to take the title as his son was to retain it.
La Dolfina/ Catamount drew first blood with a speedy goal out of the first throw in from Rufino Merlos which was quickly repeated and it seemed that it was going to be all about La Dolfina/ Catamount, but La Dolfina/ Tamera soon responded, shutting down the La Dolfina/ Catamount attack to respond with 3 goals in the first chukka. By halftime the score was tied and the game was anyone’s.
La Dolfina/ Tamera came out strong in the second half with 2 quick goals, keeping La Dolfina/ Catamount goalless in the 4th and taking the lead that they would hold on to for the rest of the match finishing up the game at 12-8 with La Dolfina/ Catamount just unable to rekindle the fire they started with.
Chukka Breakdown:
Possession was even throughout with the teams matching on shots to goal, penalty shots and even fouls. The difference in the end came down to La Dolfina/ Tamera’s accuracy scoring 9 out of their 17 shots to goal compared to La Dolfina/ Catamount’s 6 (unusual for the Catamount side who entered the game as leaders in field goals and shooting accuracy) and scoring 3 of 4 penalty shots compared to Catamount’s 2 out of 4. In a game as close and well matched as this, it was all about leaning into strengths and with La Dolfina/ Tamera’s 78% penalty accuracy, it was imperative not to give them the chance from the penalty line.
Score Progression:
Game Statistics:
Stats provided byΒ International Polo Academy