Airstream vs. White Birch

In the second semifinal matchup Airstream faced off against White Birch for the last spot in the final of the 2016 East Coast Open. The 20-goal White Birch team was awarded two goals in handicap at the onset of the game as a result of Airstream’s 22-goal handicap; rising star Agustin Bottaro was raised from 1- to 2-goals following Airstream’s last game of bracket play. 

 

The first half of the game showcased open polo with big hitting and wide field passes from each team. With less than a minute into play, Hilario Ulloa scored the first goal of the game for White Birch on a penalty 2 conversion. The two teams traded goals for the rest of the first chukker, including a great goal from Bottaro to end the first 4-3 in favor of White Birch. The remaining two goals of the first half displayed even playing by both teams. Two goals from White Birch’s Ulloa and Mariano Aguerre in the second chukker, combined with two goals for Airstream by Guillermo Aguero and Kris Kampsen in the third, left Airstream trailing by one (6-5) at the end of the first half.

The second half exhibited aggressive and physical play from both teams. A penalty 2 conversion by Airstream’s Kampsen tied the game 6-all in the first minutes of the second half. Aguero followed up with a goal from the field and Airstream took the lead for the first time in the game 7-6 over White Birch. White Birch suffered a blow in the second when Santino Magrini was forced to sit out for two minutes resulting from his second yellow card for dangerous riding. Despite this setback, White Birch dominated in the fifth chukker with three unanswered goals; two by Ulloa and one from Peter Brant. Two decisive opportunities on open goal penalties from Airstream in the fourth and fifth chukkers, both missed, kept them trailing by two goals entering the sixth and final chukker. A goal from Aguerre followed by a penalty 2 conversion from Kampsen, upheld the two goal gap. White Birch ran the clock towards the end of the game defeating Airstream with a final score 10-8, securing their spot in a rematch East Coast Open Final against Audi. 

 

AIRSTREAM (22)

Agustin Bottaro

Handicap: 2

 

Kris Kampsen

Handicap: 6

 

Guille Aguero

Handicap: 6

 

Matias Magrini

Handicap: 8

 

WHITE BIRCH (20)

Peter Brant

Handicap: 1

 

Santino Magrini

Handicap: 1

 

Hilario Ulloa

Handicap: 9

 

Mariano Aguerre

Handicap: 9