The semi finals are set for the USPA Gold Cup after 4 intense matches and a fantastic showcase of high goal polo over the weekend at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida.
The semifinals of the USPA Gold Cup will be played on Wednesday March 19:
Brookshire vs. Coca Cola
La Dolfina Catamount vs. Park Place
Match 1:
La Dolfina/Catamount won against La Dolfina/Tamera by a close score of 12-11 in the first of the quarters played on Saturday 15th March.
With the two La Dolfina sides headed up by father and son Cambiaso, it was always going to be a good match but this first quarter final was so tightly contested it could have been either side’s victory throughout. Goal for goal for the first 4 chukkas, neither side could make a break away. Catamount had more possession and more accuracy on the field with 13 opportunities at goal of which they scored 9 but they gave away a lot of penalties, 8 of which Tamera were able to put through the posts to make up the majority of their goal total.
It was Poroto in the final chukka who made the difference for La Dolfina/ Catamount, keeping a cool head when they were a goal down to equalise with a clever, under pressure goal before securing the win with a solo breakaway from the throw in.
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Match 2:
In the first of the three quarter finals matches to take place on Sunday 16th March, Brookshire won against Clearwater by a comfortable score of 13-5, securing themselves the second spot in Wednesday’s semi finals.
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Park Place won against La Fe Eastern Hay by a score of 14-8 in the second match on Sunday 16th March. The win will see them go up against the strong La Dolfina Catamount side, winners of the first quarter final in their semi final match on Wednesday 19th March.
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Playing for the last USPA Gold Cup semi final spot, the third match of the triple header saw Coca-Cola win against The Dutta Corp by a score of 12-8.
Plenty of opportunities at goal for both teams but Coca Cola proved themselves to be the more accurate side. The Dutta Corp were unable to take advantage of their 18 shots at goal, only able to convert 5 of them while Coca Cola made the most of their 15 shots with 9 field goals to add to their 3 penalties. Coca Cola led comfortably throughout, The Dutta Corp with some unlucky plays while Julian de Lusarreta made the most of every loose ball, making each mistake count.
Coca Cola will play Brookshire in the first semi final on Wednesday 19th March.
Chukka Breakdown:
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