LECHUZA CARACAS 11, AUDI 10 OT
In earlier play, Audi team that had breezed its way into the semifinals never seemed to get started as Lechuza Caracas flexed its muscles on its way to an 11-10 overtime win and a berth in Sundays 2009 Iglehart Cup finals.
Lechuza took an early 3-1 lead after the first chukker of play, but found themselves trailing 5-3 after the second. Audi 9-goaler Gonzalito Pieres added his second, third and fourth goals, and Brandon Phillips scored his first as the rode off with a 5-3 advantage while holding Lechuza scoreless.
Santiago Toccalino returned the favor in the third period, converting two penalty shots while team captain Victor Vargas added his second goal to edge Audi 6-5 at the half.
“We just couldn’t get any separation from them,†said Audi’s Brandon Phillips. “Every time we scored a goal to get a couple of goals ahead, they cam right back with a goal,†he added. “We just couldn’t shake them.â€
Audi and Lechuza exchanged goals in the fourth period. Tomas Goti gave Lechuza a 7-5 lead before Pieres scored to keep Audi within a goal at 7-6.
The fifth chukker belonged to Audi as a determined defense shut out the aggressive Lechuza team. Single goals from Pieres and Juan Bollini gave the lead back to Audi, 8-7.
Nothing got settled in the sixth chukker as the teams alternated goals.
Pieres scored twice for Audi, but two goals from Toccalino and a single goal from Guille Aguero knotted the score at 10-10 as regulation time expired.
Audi had the first opportunity in overtime with Pieres missing a 60-yard penalty shot. Moments later it would be Santiago Toccalino who would convert a 60-yard penalty shot for the Lechuza win and a spot in Sunday’s Iglehart Cup final against Patagones.
Gonzalito Pieres led all scoring with eight goals. Brandon Phillips and Juan Bollini each scored a single goal.
Santiago Toccalino led Lechuza with six goals. Victor Vargas and Guille Aguero scored two goals apiece with Tomas Goti adding a single goal in the win.