Nero Scores Winning Goal in OT
By Alex Webbe
It took a sudden-death overtime goal from Lechuza 10-goaler Juan Martin Nero to fend off Orchard Hill in a hard fought 14-13 game Sunday afternoon in C. V. Whitney Cup action at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
Lechuza depended on Sapo Caset’s five first half goals to take a 7-4 lead over Orchard Hill, but couldn’t supply the defense in the waning minutes of the sixth chukker to protect the lead.
Caset and Nero scored single goals in the fourth chukker for Lechuza, but Orchard Hill’s Pablo MacDonough converted two penalty shots and Lucas Criado added a single goal. Lechuza held on to the lead, but Orchard Hill cut it to two goals, 9-7.
The teams traded goals in the fourth period with MacDonough adding two more penalty goals for Orchard Hill while Lechuza’s Caset added two goals from the field. Lechuza held the lead, 11-9.
Orchard Hill rallied in the sixth chukker with two goals from MacDonough and single goals from Hector Galindo and Lucas Criado. Lechuza was held to two penalty goals from Caset, and the game was tied at 13-13 at the end of regulation play.
Following a 10-minute intermission, Lechuza put immediate pressure on the Orchard Hill goal. Scoring his third goal of the game, Nero iced the game for Lechuza Caracas, 14-13.
Caset led all scoring with ten goals. Nero scored three times and Lechuza captain Victor Vargas added a single goal for the win.
Orchard Hill 10-goaler MacDonough led his team with eight goals. Galindo scored three times and Criado added two goals in a losing effort.
The Lechuza win pits it against Pony Express in Wednesday’s 3pm semifinal match.