The 2016 East Coast Open

Results of the first day of the East Coast Open

Goose Creek and Beluga were the first to take the field in the 2016 East Coast Open. The game started off with three goals on handicap for 17-goal team Beluga. Tommy Biddle of Beluga scored the first goal out of the lineup followed by two goals for Goose Creek; a converted penalty 2 by Mariano Gonzalez and a goal made with an incredible display of team work by brothers Tomas and Marcos Garcia del Rio. Biddle scored another goal for Beluga followed by one from Gonzalez ending the first chukker 5-3 in favor of Beluga. Strong defense by Goose Creek in the second chukker and goals from Tomas Garcia del Rio and Gonzalez, kept Beluga scoreless. Goose Creek dominated in the third chukker with five goals from the field, once again keeping Beluga at bay unable to score any goals. The first half ended with Goose Creek in the lead 10-5 over Beluga.

Fran Elizalde of Beluga takes control of the ball with Goose Creek's Tomas Garcia del Rio and Mariano Gonzalez in pursuit. Photo: Marcelo Bianchi
Francisco Elizalde of Beluga takes control of the ball with Goose Creek’s Tomas Garcia del Rio and Mariano Gonzalez in pursuit. Photo: Marcelo Bianchi 

The second half began with Tomas Garcia del Rio converting a penalty 4 for Goose Creek, widening their lead over Beluga 11-5. A penalty 4 conversion by Biddle gave Beluga their first goal of the second half. However, Gonzalez continued his scoring streak for Goose Creek at the end of the chukker, carrying the ball down the field making his fifth goal of the game. Goose Creek maintained their lead going into the fifth 12-6. The fifth chukker belonged to Beluga with Biddle making two penalty 4 conversions and capitalizing on a penalty 3 while keeping Goose Creek scoreless. 

The score was 12-9 in favor of Goose Creek going into the sixth. Back-to-back goals early in the chukker for Goose Creek by Gonzalez and Marcos Garcia del Rio gave them a comfortable lead. Biddle again capitalized on a penalty 4 making his seventh goal of the game (two from the field, and five from the penalty line) proving to be a strong asset to his team. A beautiful run to goal by Tomas Garcia del Rio kept Goose Creek in the lead with two minutes left in regulation time. With the clock winding down, Biddle had yet another chance to capitalize on a penalty 4. Despite Biddle’s 100% accuracy on penalty shots, time ran out and Goose Creek won the first East Coast Open game of 2016 15-11.

Beluga's Francisco Elizalde sends the ball down the field. Photo: Marcelo Bianchi
Beluga’s Francisco Elizalde sends the ball down the field. Photo: Marcelo Bianchi 

In the second game of the 2016 East Coast Open, Faraway Polo competed against 2015 finalists White Birch. Hilario Ulloa of White Birch quickly made a goal in the first chukker that would set off a scoring streak for the entirety of the game. A great nearside goal by Mariano Aguerre, followed by a goal from Santino Magrini gave White Birch strong lead. Inaki Laprida of Faraway converted a penalty 3, giving his team their first goal of the game with the first chukker ending 3-1 in favor of White Birch. Strong defense from both teams led to a low scoring second chukker. Hilario Ulloa made a goal from the field while the rest of White Birch kept Faraway from scoring. In the third chukker, Ulloa continued to score for White Birch, converting a penalty 4 followed by a goal from the field. Once again, Laprida capitalized on a penalty 3 ending the first half 6-2 with White Birch in the lead.

The second half began in favor of Faraway with Pelon Escapite making the first goal from the field for his team. A penalty 3 conversion from Laprida narrowed the gap 6-4.  Ulloa was quick to answer scoring his fifth goal of the game, ending the fourth chukker with White Birch in the lead by three goals. The fifth chukker was controlled by White Birch. A total of four goals were made, three from Aguerre and one from Ulloa. Faraway played competitively, but could not score in the fifth. The sixth and final chukker began with White Birch leading 11-4 over Faraway. Ulloa made his seventh goal of the day, securing his spot as high-scorer of the game. Faraway made great team plays, sending the ball to Bo Goodman who carried it down field to goal. Laprida followed with a field goal, but time had run out. White Birch defeated Faraway with a final score of 12-6. 

Complete game schedule and team rosters here.