Grand Champions Holds on to Beat Patagones
By Alex Webbe
Grand Champions gave up one goal by handicap but charged out to a 7-3 halftime lead in the opening round of the 2009 Fall Classic at the Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington Friday afternoon.
Trevor Allen scored the first goal from the field for Patagones, that was quickly answered by a goal from Grand Champions’ 5-goaler Charlie Muldoon.
The second chukker was a scoring clinic performed by Grand Champions’ Leo Mandelbaum, as he scored three consecutive goals. Gonzalo Avendano put the ball through the goal posts for Patagones, but Grand Champions held a 4-3 lead after the first two chukkers.
Mandelbaum scored again in the third period followed by goals from Muldoon and Marianno Gracida as the oppressive defense of the Grand Champions blanked Patagones and gave the home team a comfortable 7-3 edge at the half.
Kris Kampsen set the pace for the Patagones team in the fourth period, scoring two goals from the field and assisted his teammates in shutting out the Grand Champions lineup for the first time all day. Patagones cut the Grand Champions lead to a pair of goals at the end of the chukker, 7-5.
Kampsen’s third goal of the day made it a one goal game, 7-6, before Grand Champions rallied for two goals- one each from Muldoon and J. J. Celis. Grand Champions stretched its lead to three goals, 9-6.
Patagones gave an all out effort in the final chukker, picking up goals from Kampsen and Avendano, but time ran out with Grand Champions on top of the 9-8 score.
Mandelbaum led the Grand Champions team with four goals. Muldoon scored three times and Celis and Gracida contributed single goals in the win.
Kampsen’s four goals led the Patagones team. Avendano added two goals and Allen scored once. Patagones received one goal by handicap.
Action continues in the 2009 Fall Classic on the Grand Champions Polo Club fields on Sunday, October 18 with a 10 am championship match between Audi and Grand Champions. The consolation game between Patagones and GTP Polo and is scheduled for 4 pm.