Los Machitos/Heathcotewins the final 20-goal tournament of the season, 13-11
By Alex Webbe
Los Machitos/Heathcote (Steve Lefkowitz, Sterling Giannico, MatiasMagrini and Hilario Ulloa) had a three goal breakout second chukker thatpropelled them toward a 7-4 halftime lead and a 13-11 win over a talented youngPalm Beach Illustrated (Jared Zenni, Marianito Obregon, Carlucho Arellano andGuille Aguero) team in Saturday afternoon’s Iglehart Cup final at theInternational Polo Club.
The two teams measured one another guardedly in the openingchukker with Palm Beach Illustrated scoring first on goals from CarluchoArellano and Guille Aguero, 2-0. LosMachitos/Heathcote responded with single goals from Matias Magrini (Penaltyconversion) and Sterling Giannico to tie it up at 2-2 to end the first chukker.
Light out defense by Los Machitos/Heathcote in the secondperiod kept Palm Beach Illustrated from scoring while Los Machitos/Heathcotewent on a tear. Consecutive penaltygoals from Magrini were followed by a goal from the field from SterlingGiannico for a 5-2 advantage.
Magrini added two more goals in the third (one on a penaltyshot), but they were countered by goals from Marianito Obregon (penaltyconversion) and Guille Aguero. Los Machitos/Heathcote continued to lead at theend of the first half by three goals, 7-4.
Three fourth chukker goals extended the Los Machitos/Heathcotelead to four goals as Hilario Ulloa scored twice and Giannico added agoal. Palm Beach Illustrated picked upsingle goals from Obregon and Arellano, but fell behind, 10-6.
The two teams exchanged goals in the fifth with Obregon andArellano converting penalty shots for goals while Los Machitos/Heathcote teamcaptain Steve Lefkowitz and teammate Ulloa each scored a goal from the field. The Los Machitos/Heathcote four goal leadheld at 12-8.
Giannico’s fourth goal of the game had Los Machitos/Heathcotein front by five goals, 13-8 when Palm Beach Illustrated attempted a late gamerally. Obregon scored twice (one on apenalty shot) and Arellano added a goal, but time ran out as Los Machitos/Heathcotecoasted to the 13-11 victory.
The veteran Magrini led Los Machitos/Heathcote with fivegoals (four on penalty conversions). Giannico scored four times and earned MVP honors. Ulloa was credited with three scored andLefkowitz scored once in the win. Obregon scored three of his team-high five goals on penalty shots. Arellano scored four times (twice on penaltyconversions). Aguero added two goals inthe loss.
Magrini’s Buddha earned Best Playing Pony honors.