Pilot and Valiente Advance to U.S. Open Polo Championship® Semifinals
Day one of competition in the U.S. Open Polo Championship at the National Polo Center – Wellington (NPC) featured Dazos (David Farache, Dylan Rossiter, Nicolas ‘Nico’ Pieres, Santiago ‘Santi’ Torres) facing Pilot (Curtis Pilot, Matias ‘Colo’ Gonzalez, Matias Torres Zavaleta) followed by Scone (David Paradice, Cody Ellis, Poroto Cambiaso, David ‘Pelon’ Stirling) pitted against Valiente (Bob Jornayvaz, Mariano ‘Peke’ Gonzalez, Lucas ‘Luckitas’ Criado Jr., Adolfo Cambiaso).
In the first of two thrilling family affairs, a battle between brothers Nico and Facundo Pieres, saw Pilot get off to a quick start outscoring Dazos 3-1. Maintaining pressure, three goals from Zavaleta in the third capped off a successful offensive first half with Pilot shooting 55% from the field. Managing just two goals on eight shots in the first half, Dazos regrouped at the break to outscore Pilot in the fourth for the first time in the match. Battling in the fifth, the Pieres brothers each found the goal with Facundo gaining the edge to keep Pilot ahead by four. Earning his fifth goal of the day and breaking the prestigious one-hundred goal mark on the season, Facundo was once more answered by Nico, but Dazos’ late push fell short as Pilot claimed the 13-8 victory.
Celebrating his 48th birthday, Adolfo Cambiaso took to the field against his son Poroto for the first time in the competition. Following an opening goal off the mallet of Poroto, Valiente’s Criado Jr. answered for with three, including two from the penalty line. Accounting for all of Scone’s goals in the first half, Poroto continued to drive Scone’s offensive, but a perfect 3 for 3 from Criado Jr. at the line gave Valiente a narrow 6-5 lead at the half. Continuing to find success in the field, Adolfo Cambiaso hit his second of the day, as teammate Gonzalez reached the scoreboard for the first time in the match. Committing just one foul, Valiente’s open play combined with a seven-goal effort from Criado Jr. ultimately earned Valiente their spot in the semifinals with the 11-9 win.
Best Playing Pony was awarded to “Open Exclusiva,” played by Matias Torres Zavaleta, owned by Facundo Pieres and “Dolfina Boopica,” played by Poroto Cambiaso, owned by J5 Equestrian.
Upcoming Schedule:
U.S. Open Polo Championship Quarterfinals
Sunday, April 16
M A G (3-0) vs La Fe (2-1) at 10:00am ET
Park Place (2-0) vs La Elina (1-2) at 3:00pm ET
All games of the U.S. Open Polo Championship will be livestreamed exclusively on the USPA Polo Network.
Photo Credit: David Lominska