 Team USPA worked collectively to outscore the Dominican Republic team 11 – 5.5 in the second round of the Federation of International Polo (FIP) World Championship Zone A Playoffs.
The Dominican Republic rearranged their team roster having Alexander Schad sub in for Anton Tejeda following Wednesday’s loss to Mexico by just a half point.
This morning’s match started off quickly with the Dominican team scoring the first goal of the game adding to their 1.5 goals awarded on handicap, giving them an early 2.5 point lead. But Team USPA’s Jared Sheldon and Felipe Viana quickly rallied.
Sheldon and Viana alternated in scoring four goals in the first chukker to stop the Dominican Republic team dead in their tracks. Despite the Dominican’s initial surge, fantastic defense was maintained by Team USPA throughout the game without compromising their ability to move the ball.
Viana continued his run to score another 3 goals throughout the game, with Jesse Bray scoring an additional 2 goals. Sheldon scored an another goal in the 4th chukker, and Patrick Uretz closed out the game with the 11th and final goal.
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Team USPA
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Dominican Republic
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#1 Jared Sheldon (3)
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#1 Alexander Schad (2)
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#2 Jesse Bray (4)
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#2 Heriberto Constanza (3)
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#3 Felipe Viana (4)
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vs.
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#3 Johnny Alvarez (3)
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#4 Patrick Uretz (3)
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#4 Denis Santana (4)
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Alt. Mason Wroe (4)
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Alt. Anton Tejeda (1)
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Alt. Will Tankard (3)
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Alt. Leo Matos
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Score: 11
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Score: 5.5
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Wroe (Texas A&M), Viana (University of Virginia), Uretz (Westmont University), Sheldon (New Mexico State) and Tankard (Texas Tech) have all come up the ranks through the USPA’s Intercollegiate polo program, and excelled through their involvement with Team USPA.
These players demonstrate the highest levels of skill, horsemanship and sportsmanship that our sport has to offer, but tomorrow they face another tall challenge under the guidance of coach Joel Baker.
Team USPA will take on Mexico in the final round of the FIP World Championship Zone A Playoffs on Sunday at 3:00 pm ET. Weather reports forecast thunderstorms so the schedule is tentative.
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Game 1
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Game 2
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Game 3
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Team USPA
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Win against Can.
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Win against DR
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TBD
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Canada
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Loss against USA
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Loss against Mex.
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–
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Mexico
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Win against DR
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Win against Can.
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–
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Dominican Republic
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Loss against Mex.
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Loss against USA
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TBD
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The winner of this match will earn the last spot representing Zone A at the FIP World Championship Finals and compete against Zone B Champion Brazil, Zone C Champion England, and Zone D Champion Pakistan for the coveted title. The FIP 10th World Championship presented by Land Rover will be held March 24 – 29, 2015 in Santiago, Chile.
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