Joe Barry Cup Opens with an Overtime Thriller
After rain pushed back the beginning of the 2018 Joe Barry Cup, the long-awaited start to the USA High Goal season began with an exciting match as Modere needed nearly six minutes of overtime to defeat Colorado 7-6 on field #5 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Newcomer Juan Britos made an impact early in the game, scoring Colorado’s first two goals to give his team the early lead. Colorado continued to control open play, limiting the chances of Hilario Ulloa and using the team play of Britos and Magoo Laprida to build a slim lead in the first half. Colorado’s Mariano Gracida ran the ball through the goal, to end the 4th chukka and extend their lead to 6-3 with just two chukkas remaining as Modere struggled to convert their shot opportunities early in the game. Missing 10 of their first 12 shot attempts, Modere, began to turn around their offense late in the game as they made a push over the final two chukkas, closing the deficit to one goal by the 6th chukka. After an Ulloa penalty tied the game at 6-6, the game remained deadlocked as neither team could score the deciding goal.
A back and forth overtime was ultimately won by Modere, completing their comeback by scoring the final four goals of the game. Led by Hilario Ulloa’s five goal performance, Modere finished with the narrow 7-6 victory to start their Joe Barry Cup on a high note.