Modere and Tonkawa Secure Semi-Final Spots in Busy Five Game Day
The final five games of group play in the 2018 Joe Barry Cup all played out on Sunday at the International Polo Club, with three semi-final spots left to claim after La Indiana secured their place in the semi-finals with their win on Wednesday.
Play opened with a back and forth game between Tonkawa and Travieso, as a win for either team would guarantee their spot in the semi-finals. A closely fought game, Tonkawa’s Sterling Giannico was able to capitalize on Travieso knock ins for three of his five goals in the game. Despite losing the throw-in battle 20-6, Tonkawa was able to cause turnovers and create scoring chances throughout the game, outshooting Travieso 17-8. Sebastian Merlos continued his impressive tournament, adding eight more goals but the inability to create chances late, allowed Tonkawa to finish with the 13-10 victory.
The second game saw Postage Stamp bounce back from their last game to defeat Colorado 13-11, utilizing an exceptional start in the second half to run away with the victory. Finding themselves down 4-0 early in the game, Postage Stamp Farm used accurate penalty shooting in the 2nd chukka to reduce the deficit to one. After halftime, Postage Stamp exploded for six consecutive goals to gain a five-goal lead. Finishing 6 for 7 from the penalty line, Postage Stamp Farm won their first game in the Joe Barry Cup while erasing any hope of Colorado making the semi-finals.
n a game that came down to the final seconds, Modere’s Hilario Ulloa scored a neckshot from 65 yards out inside the final 30 seconds to send Modere to the exciting 12-11 victory over Goose Creek, improving their record to 3-0 and winning Bracket I to advance to the semi-finals. Modere gained an early 6-4 lead behind balanced team scoring from Ulloa, Agustin Obregon and Jared Zenni, but Goose Creek’s Mariano Gonzalez, singlehandedly kept his team in the game, finishing with eight goals, 4 each from the penalty line and from the field. Leading by two heading into the final chukka, Goose Creek was unable to contain Ulloa as he scored on the opening throw-in of the chukka and the final play of the game to send his team into the semi-finals.
With both teams out of contention, Pilot displayed the potential of Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres, with the 15-12 victory over Grand Champions Polo Club. Dominating possession throughout winning 18 of 28 throw-ins, Pilot used perfect 5 for 5 shooting in the 3rd chukka to take a 10-5 lead into halftime. 12 goals combined from Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres was the impact Pilot was looking for throughout the Joe Barry Cup and provides a glimpse into the potential of Pilot moving forward in the high goal season. Grand Champions struggled to generate scoring chances throughout the game as the two-man game from Pilot with support from Timmy Dutta and Curtis Pilot was too much on the day.
The final game of the day played in front of the grandstand on the Engel & Volkers Field saw a crucial win for Coca-Cola, as they needed a win to force a penalty shootout with Travieso for the final semi-final spot. Dominating possession throughout the game with strong defence and effective backhands to start their attacks, Coca-Cola finished with the convincing 11-6 victory. SD Farms struggled during the game, shooting just 2 for 12 from the field and unable to get past the disciplined defence of Julio Arellano, Sugar Erskine and Steve Krueger. Erskine led the way offensively with six goals, while all four players found the scoresheet including a nice run from Gillian Johnston.
Coca-Cola and Travieso square off in a penalty shootout Monday morning to determine which team will join Modere, La Indiana and Tonkawa in Wednesday’s semi-finals of the 2018 Joe Barry Cup.