A busy weekend at the National Polo Center saw four exciting Quarter Final matches take place for the US Open Polo Championship. The four winners move forward to the Semi Final stages to be played on Wednesday 16th of April.
11am: Coca Cola vs La Dolfina Tamera
3pm: Park Place vs La Dolfina Catamount
(Palm Beach times)
Match 1:
Fresh from their USPA Gold Cup win, Park Place won the first Quarter Final, triumphing 16-11 against La Fe Eastern Hay, locking in their spot in the Semi Finals. Leading from the off, an incredible 6 goals in the 3rd chukka saw them able to cruise for the rest of the match, La Fe Eastern Hay unable to contend with their strategic team combination plays and intricate passing.
Louis Hine proved himself to be once again playing above his handicap as he created play after play and scoring opportunities for his whole team including many he was able to complete himself. The Park Place side were quicker and more agile throughout, dominating in both possession and speed.
Park Place will go up against La Dolfina/ Catamount in the Semi Finals.
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La Dolfina/Catamount won the second Quarter Final of the U.S. Open Polo Championship on Saturday 12th April, winning 11-10 against Globalport at the National Polo Center.
A close and exciting match could have belonged to either side with both playing fast, dynamic team polo. Scott Devon’s side however proved themselves to be up to the task and able to handle the pressure when down by 1 in the last they managed to pull themselves back to equalise and then take the lead with impressive team goals. Jesse Bray worked hard in back to create opportunities for Poroto who either capitalised on these himself with explosive runs to goal, or sent the ball up to the ever well-placed Rufino Merlos, teammate from last year, to complete. With just seconds left on the clock, Rufino scored to take La Dolfina/ Catamount out of the threat of overtime and into the Semis where they will place Park Place.
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Coca-Cola won the third Quarter Final winning 14-13 against Brookshire in the tightly contested final match of the Saturday.
Close throughout, this was an exciting and rough match to watch with both teams working hard to keep their US Open dreams alive. A change up in tactics for Coca Cola saw them put Polito on Jeta Castagnola, dropping back to a more defensive role while Lorenzo Chavanne stepped up to take on the attack. While this seemed to be working for them, neutralising the biggest opposing threat by taking out Castagnola, Coca Cola seemed to be flagging after the first half, allowing Brookshire the advantage in the 4th, but a huge push in the 5th saw them regain the lead after 5 goals and take the win that would give them that all important 3rd spot in the Semi Finals where they will face La Dolfina/ Tamera.
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La Dolfina/Tamera won the last Semi Final spot in the last Quarter Final played on Sunday 13th April. They won 16-9 convincingly against The Setai at the National Polo Center making them the only team to reach the Semis unbeaten.
The new to the Gauntlet side of The Setai were unable to compete with the practiced line up of La Dolfina/ Tamera who won comfortably having led throughout. A strong last chukka from The Setai saw them take back some of the goal difference but it was not enough to make a dent in the scoreline or threaten La Dolfina/ Tamera’s chances at a Semi Final spot.
With Matt Coppola and Alejandro Poma working hard up front to clear space it was Diego Cavanagh who kept the La Dolfina/ Tamera goals flowing, with 10 to his name while Adolfo Cambiaso kept the back door firmly shut against any The Setai counter-attacks. La Dolfina/ Tamera ran like a well oiled machine, a trait they will need when they face Coca Cola in the Semis.
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Stats provided by International Polo Academy