USA rolls over Argentina in 13–8 win in China

USA all over
Argentina in 13-8 win in China

By Alex Webbe

The United States (Tommy Collingwood, Nic Roldan, Mike
Azzaro and Ulysses Escapite) put together six solid chukkers of play Friday
afternoon in China as they rolled over Argentina (Martin Pepa, Marianito
Obregon, Michel Dorignac and Martin Donovan) by the score of 13-8 in the
consolation round of play in the 2013 Fortune Heights Super Nations Cup at
China’s Tianjin Goldin Metropolitan Polo Club.

Martin Pepa got Argentina on the scoreboard with the first
goal of the game, 1-0, but was countered by goals from Mike Azzaro and Tommy
Collingwood, 2-1.  Marianito Obregon
closed out the chukker with his first goal of the game for a 2-2 tie.

Defensive efforts highlighted second chukker play with
backhanders and ride-offs limiting scoring opportunities.  Azzaro scored the only goal of the chukker
for a narrow 3-2 USA advantage.

Nic Roldan opened the third period with his first goal of
the day, 4-2, but Obregon countered with a goal for Argentina less than two
minutes later.  Consecutive goals from
Roldan and Azzaro had the USA in front 6-3. 
Obregon scored the final goal of the chukker with seconds on the clock
as the United States left the field at the end of the first half with a 6-4
advantage.

The teams were evenly matches in the fourth chukker.  Argentine 7-goaler Michel Dorignac scored his
first goal of the day in the opening minutes of play.  Roldan responded with a matching goal just
minutes later.  The fourth period ended
with the USA holding on to their two goal lead, 7-5.

The United States broke it open in the fifth.  Three goals from Azzaro and a goal from
Ulysses Escapite had the USA in front 11-7. 
Argentina managed just two goals in the chukker (both by Obregon) and after
five chukkers of play, trailed by four goals, 11-7.

There was no rally in store for Argentina as they took the
field for the final chukker of the game. 
Collingwood and Escapite each scored a goal to put the United States on
top, 13-7.  Obregon scored the final goal
of the game, but it was the United States that left the field with the 13-8
victory.

Azzaro led all scoring with six goals.  Roldan was credited with three goals and
Collingwood and Escapite each scored a pair of goals in the win.  Obregon’s four goals led the Argentine
attack.  Dorignac added three scores
while Pepa chipped in a goal in the loss.

Saturday afternoon will see England (Henry Fisher, Mark
Tomlinson, Luke Tomlinson and Nacho Gonzalez) face Hong Kong (Dirk Gould, Joao
Ganon, John Paul Clarkin and John Fisher) in the finals.