Orchard Hill Scores Win In Open Play
By Alex Webbe
Orchard Hill 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough scored nine goals in leading Orchard Hill to a 13-10 win over a talented Pony Express team in the opening game of the 2009 United States Open Championship at the International Polo Club in Wellington on Friday afternoon.
Orchard Hill trailed 3-0 in the second chukker when they began to get their rhythm. After watching Pony Express 8-goaler Nick Roldan score his fourth goal in the third chukker, Orchard Hill tallied goals from MacDonough and Hector Galindo to tie it at 5-5 at the half.
The teams traded goals in the fourth chukker with Orchard Hill getting on the board first with goals from MacDonough and Lucas Criado for a 7-5 lead, but Pony Express came right back with goals from team captain Bob Daniels and Roldan to keep it even at 7-7.
MacDonough gave Orchard Hill a one goal lead to open the fifth period before two goals from Matias Magrini put Pony Express back on top, 9-8. That was when the tables seemed to turn.
Galindo and MacDonough each scored a goal to end the chukker, leaving the field with a 10-9 lead and the momentum.
With Pony Express still back on their heels in the sixth chukker Orchard Hill unloaded a salvo of goals with MacDonough converting a penalty shot and scoring again from the field. Galindo completed a beautiful play down the field by scoring on a 90-yard shot through the goal posts for a 13-9 advantage. Pony Express rallied to put together one last scoring effort with Pelon Sterling putting the ball through the Orchard Hill goalposts for the final 13-10 score and an Orchard Hill victory.
US Open play continues on Saturday at the International Polo Club in Wellington at 11 am when Audi faces Zacara.