Iglehart Cup Semi-Finals Set as Pilot Defeats Postage Stamp Farm
The final game of bracket play in the 2018 Iglehart Cup featured a back and forth game with Pilot defeating Postage Stamp Farm 12-10 to remain undefeated and advance into Saturday’s semi-finals.
A fast-paced game with few stoppages, both teams shot at goal a combined 35 times in a running end-to-end style of play. Pilot’s Facundo and Gonzalito continued their effective two-man game in 20-goal play but were able to use Timmy Dutta downfield throughout the game, as he scored four goals in the game. Early in the game, it was Postage Stamp Farm that grabbed the early lead, as Mariano Aguerre and Brandon Phillips scored two goals each. Postage Stamp Farm was unable to extend their lead as they shot just 3 for 9 in the opening half, allowing Pilot to fight back in the third chukka, scoring three goals to tie the game at 5-5 heading into halftime.
Pilot continued their momentum into the second half, scoring three goals for the second consecutive chukka, with two goals from Facundo Pieres and one goal from Timmy Dutta. Postage Stamp Farm’s inability to convert their shots at goal began to catch up with them as Pilot’s Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres continued to pressure their opponents on the attack.
Finding themselves trailing 8-6, Postage Stamp Farm’s shooting troubles in the game were rectified in the fifth chukka as they were able to generate high scoring chances in front of goal. Converting three of their four shot attempts, goals from Annabelle Gundlach and Brandon Phillips helped Postage Stamp Farm cut their deficit in half, trailing by just one goal. Pilot’s Pieres duo continued their effective two man game to maintain their one goal lead, while combining for three penalty goals in the second half. With time expiring, it was one-goaler Timmy Dutta that scored his fourth goal of the game to secure the victory for his team. With the victory, Pilot sets up a semi-final matchup against Coca-Cola, while La Indiana squares off against Goose Creek with the winner’s advancing to next week’s final.