Iconica Completes Sensational Season with Florida Circuit 16-Goal Super-Series Championship
The highly anticipated finale of the inaugural Florida Circuit 16-Goal Super-Series Championship at the National Polo Center – Wellington (NPC) pitted Iconica (Maureen Brennan, Mariano ‘Peke’ Gonzalez, Lucas ‘Luckitas’ Criado Jr., Santos Merlos) against La Fe (Rufino Merlos, Roberto ‘Robi’ Bilbao, Francisco Elizalde, Louis Devaleix).
Dominating throughout the 16-goal season, Iconica entered the Super-Series Championship sweeping three of the four qualifiers (Joe Barry Memorial hosted by Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, Florida, Ylvisaker Cup, and Iglehart Cup hosted by Patagones Polo/Wellington Polo Tour in Wellington, Florida) to earn a 15-1 record and automatic qualification into the final. Awarding Iconica one goal on handicap, early drives from Criado Jr. and Santos Merlos were matched by La Fe’s Bilbao and Devaleix fresh off their Super-Series qualifying victory in the Continental Cup (Sarasota Polo Club, Sarasota, Florida). Creating separation in the second, a Penalty 2 off the mallet of Iconica’s Criado Jr. was complimented by field goals from Santos Merlos and Gonzalez. Keeping La Fe’s 9-goaler Elizalde contained to just three goals in the first half, Iconica stepped up the offensive pressure with Gonzalez sending two more through the posts to give Iconica a commanding 9-6 lead at the break.
A strong second half team, La Fe began to turn the tide, but Criado Jr. and Gonzalez matched a determined Elizalde stride-for-stride. Following a field goal from Rufino Merlos, Iconica’s Santos Merlos was quick to respond at the line to maintain Iconica’s narrow two goal lead. Back-to-back efforts from Elizalde would bring La Fe within one, but two final drives from Criado Jr. and Gonzalez capped off Iconica’s incredible season to earn the coveted Florida Circuit 16-Goal Super-Series Championship 14-11.
Leading Iconica with five goals, Most Valuable Player was awarded to Mariano ‘Peke’ Gonzalez. Best Playing Pony honors were presented to Francisco Elizalde’s “Lavinia Magia.”
Photo Credit: David Lominska