Pony Express Rides to 12-10 Win
By Alex Webbe
Pony Express took control of the game from the very beginning and delivered a 12-10 win over a talent-laden Zacara foursome in United States Open play Sunday afternoon at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
Jeff Hall put Zacara on the scoreboard first with a penalty conversion that was answered by a goal from the field from Nick Roldan of Pony Express.
Two goals from Matias Magrini were complimented by shutout defense from Pony Express as it went up 3-1 after the second chukker. The two teams started the third chukker trading goals, with Carlos Gracida scoring once from the field and once on a penalty shot. Pony Express countered with three goals from 9-goaler Pelon Stirling and three more goals from Magrini as it moved out to a commanding 9-3 halftime lead.
“We always knew we had it in us,†said Roldan, following the match, “we just needed everyone on the team to have a good game, and we did that today.â€
Zacara staged a mini comeback in the fourth, with Gracida scoring twice and Magoo Laprida missing another goal at the bell. In spite of getting blanked, Pony Express held a 9-5 advantage.
Zacara reared up in the fifth period with goals from team captain Lyndon Lea, Hall and Gracida (who scored two) while holding Pony Express to single goals from Stirling and Roldan. The Pony Express lead was cut to two goals, 11-9.
“I think we started playing better when we started passing the ball to one another,†said Pony Express team captain Bob Daniels, “that’s when we’re at our best.â€
Daniels took a pass in the final chukker and carried it through the goal to make it 12-9, and quell the Zacara rally.
Hall converted a penalty shot for a goal for Zacara to close out the offense as Pony Express held on for the 12-10 victory.
Wellington’s own Nick Roldan was named MVP while Pelon Stirling’s 9-year-old Argentine mare Cupita received Best Playing Pony honors.