Zacara Wins, Loses
By Alex Webbe
In a complicated tie-breaking factor that governs the selection of teams with identical records, Zacara (1-2) needed to defeat Orchard Hill (1-2) by at least three goals to make it into the semifinals of the 2009 US Open Championship semifinals next week at the International Polo Club in Wellington.
On the verge of accomplishing just that, and with forty-four seconds left on the game clock in the final chukker of play, team captain Lyndon Lea suffered a fall that forced him to leave the game with an apparent collarbone injury.
The accident happened approximately ninety yards from the Orchard Hill goal, with Zacara ahead 13-11.
Zacara ultimately won the game, 13-11, but the goal differential between it and the other teams in its divisi
on proved to be the deciding factor. Orchard Hill will join Audi in the semifinals against a yet to be determined opponent.
The game began with an altered Zacara lineup. Matias Magrini (eliminated from Open play in the day’s earlier match) found himself substituting for Zacara 8-goaler Magoo Laprida (injured right wrist) and part of a fast paced scoring contest that saw horse races from end to end throughout all six chukkers.
Trailing 7-6 at halftime, Zacara rallied to break the tie with three goals in the sixth chukker on its way to the victory. The shortcoming in the score was only overshadowed by Lea’s fall and removal from the game. Mariano Gracida filled in for Lea for the final seconds of play
Carlos Gracida led all scoring with eight goals while Orchard Hill 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough set the pace for Orchard Hill with six scores.