EFG BANK AND LECHUZA CARACAS IN HAAS CUP FINAL
Lechuza Caracas counted on the teamwork of its lineup against Lucchese on its way to a 14-12 win and spot in the finals of the Ylvisaker Cup subsidiary, the George Haas Cup. Trailing 8-5 at the end of the first half of play, Lechuza relied on the balanced scoring of its team to outscore Lucchese 9-4 in the final three chukkers.
Lucchese’s Mike Azzaro led all scoring with seven goals. Teammate Andres Weisz scored four times and Shane Rice added a goal.
Lechuza’s Nicolas Espain and Santiago Toccalino each scored five goals. Team captain Victor Vargas and teammate Guille Aguero added two goals apiece.
The second Haas Cup semifinal took place at the same time with EFG Bank needing an overtime goal from Luis Escobar for a 13-12 win over Isla Carroll.
EFG Bank held a commanding 9-3 lead at halftime but saw the game start to slip away in the second half.
EFG Bank led 11-5 after the fourth chukker and 11-8 after the fifth. Isla Carroll put four goals on the scoreboard in the sixth chukker, with Sugar Erskine’s nine goals leading the way, and forced the overtime.
EFG Bank took the opening throw-in and charged down the field toward the Isla Carroll goal where 5-goaler Whistle Uys scored the winning goal.
Sugar Erskine led all scoring with nine goals. John Goodman scored a single goal, but was forced to the sidelines after the first three chukkers. Replacement Marc Ganzi scored once, as did teammate Owen Rinehart.
Luis Escobar led EFG Bank with seven goals. Julio Arellano scored four times and Whistle scored twice.
EFG Bank will meet Lechuza Caracas in the finals of the George Haas Cup at noon on Sunday at the International Polo Club in Wellington.