La Aguada vs La Irenita
The opening game of the Triple Crown and the 2017 Tortugas Open saw La Aguada display a dominant performance, defeating La Irenita 17-8 on Field 4 at Tortugas Country Club.
With both teams sporting a 31-goal handicap, it was La Aguada that controlled play throughout the game, outshooting La Irenita 16-8, with La Aguada converting 81% of their shot attempts, led by Alfredo Bigatti’s perfect six for six shooting, playing in place of Eduardo Novillo Astrada.
La Aguada raced out to an early 4-1 on three for four shooting from the field and Alejandro Novillo Astrada converting his lone penalty attempt. The lead was extended further as La Aguada continued to control open play, outshooting their opponents 8-2 through the opening two chukkers. Bigatti added his 2nd and 3rd goals of the game, while Miguel and Alejandro Novillo Astrada each added one goal to bring La Aguada’s total to eight after two chukkers. La Irenita were able to score three goals of their own, taking advantage of three fouls from their opponents, with Matias MacDonough converting both penalty attempts.
La Aguada maintained their four goal advantage in the 3rd and 4th chukkers as the game slowed down due to a combined 11 fouls in the 4th and 5th chukkers. Goals from Corchito Zavaleta and MacDonough kept La Irenita within four goals but the inability to stop the efficient La Aguada offense was the difference throughout the game.
However, La Irenita was unable to produce enough scoring chances throughout the game as La Aguada ran away with the game in the final two chukkers, led by seven goals from Alejandro Novillo Astrada (4/5 penalties and 3/4 shooting) to finish with the convincing 17-8 victory.
Alegria vs Cria Yatay
The second game of the 2017 Tortugas Open saw Alegria overcome a tough Cria Yatay team to finish with a 16-13 victory at Tortugas Country Club.
Cria Yatay controlled the throw-in battle throughout the game, winning 23 of 32 throw-ins but they weren’t able to turn those extra possessions into scoring opportunities. Combined with inefficient shooting early in the game, as Cria Yatay missed 11 of their first 13 shots, Alegria was able to use their efficient offense to gain the early lead. The favourite coming in with a 35-goal team handicap, Alegria relied on their two 10-goal players early in the game with Hilario Ulloa and Sapo Caset combining to shoot 6 of 7 in the opening two chukkers, providing Alegria with the early lead, one which they would not relinquish the rest of the game.
Missed opportunities was the story for Cria Yatay in the first half of the game as they were able to match chances with Alegria but were unable to convert. However, Alegria took advantage of their chances to race out to an early four goal lead. After Cria Yatay closed the gap to three after goals from Lerin Zubiaurre and Joaquin Pittaluga in the third chukker, it was the fourth chukker that was the difference in the game.
Alegria took advantage of three Cria Yatay fouls in the fourth chukker, resulting in Ulloa converting both of his penalty attempts. Caset added his third goal of the game, while Alegria newcomer, Facundo Sola scored his first goal in an Alegria uniform. After winning the fourth chukker 4-1, Alegria doubled their lead from three to six goals, putting Cria Yatay in a big deficit with three chukkers remaining.
Cria Yatay’s leading scorer Pittaluga would add four more goals in the 6th and 7th chukkers to bring his total to nine goals, thanks to seven for nine shooting from the penalty line, but after Alegria extended their lead in the 4th chukker, Cria Yatay’s push in the final three chukkers was not enough as Alegria finished with the 16-13 victory to begin their Argentine season.
