Audi Shows Style in 10-8 US Open Win
By Alex Webbe
The high-flying Audi (2-0) polo team showed some high-goal style as they took a 10-8 contest from Orchard Hill (1-1) Friday afternoon in United States Open competition at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
Orchard Hill’s Pablo MacDonough and Hector Galindo each scored goals in the first chukker for a 2-0 lead, but after Gonzalito Pieres finally got Audi on the scoreboard with 1:40 left in the chukker, they seemed to be hitting on all eight cylinders.
Facundo Pieres tied the game at 2-2 with :33 left in the opening chukker, and then added another goal with :01 on the clock for a 3-2 advantage.
MacDonough tied the game at 3-3 to open the second chukker, but a goal from Facundo Pieres put Audi back on top 4-3. Lucas Criado scored on a backhand pass from Galindo to make it 4-4 before. Facundo Pieres put Audi back on top 5-4, and that would be as close as Orchard Hill would ever come.
Third chukker goals by Facundo and Nicolas Pieres in the first two minutes of play stretched the Audi lead to three goals, with MacDonough converting a single penalty shot for a goal to end the first half. Audi was on top, 7-5.
Penalties took their toll in the fourth and fifth chukkers, with Facundo converting on all three attempts and MacDonough making good on his two tries. Audi took a 10-7 lead into the final chukker of play.
With seven minutes left to play, it was up to Audi to control the play.
“They had nothing to lose in the last chukker,†said Gonzalito Pieres after the match. “We were winning by three goals and we had to stay in control.â€
Orchard Hill continued to press its attack, getting a well-earned goal from MacDonough, but it would be their last. Audi rode off the field with the 10-8 win and a perfect 2-0 record.
Orchard Hill dropped to 1-1.
Open action continues on Saturday with a 4pm contest between Black Watch (0-1) and White Birch (1-0).