October 25, 2024
Proudly debuting at New Bridge Polo & Country Club in Aiken, South Carolina, the Women’s East Coast Open presented by DeLorean AI concluded on Sunday, October 20, between Mint Eco Car Wash (Jenna Davis, Cecelia Cochran, Kylie Sheehan*, Malia Bryan) and LBL (Alison Patricelli, Summer Kneece, Sophie Grant*, Maddie Grant). First introduced as a USPA-sanctioned event, the 14- to 18-goal tournament was elevated to national status this year. Clashing in the first game of preliminary play, the ladies in mint green earned a narrow 9-7 victory. Meeting again in the final, the championship rematch went down to the wire. Deadlocked entering the final chukker of play, back-to-back goals from Bryan ultimately powered Mint Eco Car Wash to its first Women’s East Coast Open title.
“I get to play with three women I have tremendous respect for, and I get to play amongst some of the best women in the country. […] I love this sport, and I love this town and I love this tournament. I’m happy that I can finally be a part of it.” – Cecelia Cochran, Mint Eco Car Wash Team Owner
Wasting no time, Mint Eco Car Wash established an early 2-0 lead on consecutive field goals from Davis and Sheehan. Responding from the penalty line, two Penalty 3 conversions off the mallet of LBL’s Sophie Grant tied the match 2-all. A Penalty 2 from Cochran restored Mint Eco Car Wash’s advantage, but a long-distance run to goal from LBL’s Maddie Grant evened the score 3-all at the half.
Exchanging penalty goals in the third chukker, the two unwavering teams entered the final period even 4-all. Breaking through in the fourth chukker, an explosive performance from Bryan scoring two consecutive field goals put Mint Eco Car Wash back on top. Despite a fierce effort from LBL that included Sophie Grant’s fourth conversion of the match, Mint Eco was able to stave off the opposition for the reminder of the contest to earn a narrow 6-5 triumph.
Recognizing her efforts to position Mint Eco Car Wash for the victory, Malia Bryan was named Most Valuable Player. Bryan’s 12-year-old Thoroughbred mare Tiare (registered as Pleasantmisperfect, by Pleasantly Perfect out of Busy Mis), played in the crucial fourth chukker also took home Best Playing Pony honors.
The Women’s East Coast Open presented by DeLorean AI is now available On-Demand.
*Sophie Grant is an Active Member of Team USPA and Kylie Sheehan is Team USPA alumna. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.