Audi
beats defending champion Flat Out in North America Cup match
By
Alex Webbe
Every member of the Audi team (Marc Ganzi, Carlitos
Gracida, Nic Roldan and Carlos Gracida) scored in Friday afternoon’s 12-6 win
over a talented Flat Out team (Esteban Panelo, Brandon Phillips, Mariano
Gonzalez and Paul Knapp) in an opening round match in the 2012 USPA North
America Cup at the Grand champions Polo club in Wellington, Florida.
Goals from Nic Roldan and Marc Ganzi gave Audi the
initial lead with Brandon Phillips converting a penalty shot for Flat Out’s
only goal of the chukker. Flat Out
trailed Audi, 2-1.
Scoring was hard to come by in the second frame. Roldan managed a penalty goal to end the
chukker with Audi on top of a 3-1 lead.
Flat Out was unable to score.
Mariano Gonzalez scored a goal from the field to open the
third chukker but Audi responded in force.
Roldan added two more goals from the field while former 10-goaler Carlos
Gracida converted a penalty shot for a 6-2 halftime lead for Audi.
Audi opened the second half with a pair of goals from
Ganzi (one from the field and one on a penalty shot) as Audi extended the lead
to six goals, 8-2, when Flat Out awoke.
Two goals from Phillips and a goal from the field from Gonzalez cut the
Audi lead to three goals, 8-5, with the momentum seeming to shift.
Audi put down the flat Out uprising in the fifth period
with oppressive defense and a pair of goals from Carlitos Gracida. With one chukker left to play Flat Out
trailed, 10-5.
Carlos Gracida and Roldan each added a goal in the final
chukker while Flat Out team captain scored the final goal of the game for his
team in the 12-6 loss.
Roldan led all scoring with five goals. Ganzi scored three times. Carlos Gracida and Carlitos Gracida added two
goals apiece.
Phillips set the pace for the Flat Out attack with three
goals. Gonzalez scored twice and Knapp
added a goal in the loss.
North America Cup play will continue on Tuesday, November
6th with Piaget facing Ruby Q/Palm City.