Parrot Heads Defeat Altair in WCT Semifinals
By Alex Webbe
In spite of an impressive showing by Altair’s Kristy Outhier, the Parrot Heads squeaked out a 5-4 win in the second of the WCT semifinals Saturday afternoon on the Sympatico polo grounds in Wellington, Florida.
“I had a terrible game,” said Altair’s Alina Carta, “I really wasn’t a lot of help on the field.”
But the fact was that the Parrot Heads just kept hustling throughout the four-chukker contest.
Following a scoreless first chukker (Parrot Heads received one goal by handicap), Kristine Dalton scored the first goal from the field to give the Parrot Heads a 2-0 lead. Kristy Outhier kept Altair in the game with a penalty conversion and the first half ended with the Parrot Heads on top, 2-1.
Altair continued to press its attack with runs from Ashley Van Metre and Alina Carta, but the Parrot Head defense held.
Following another Parrot Head offensive run, Roni Duke executed a nearside backshot for a 3-1 advantage. An attempt to clear the ball from in front of its own goal went through the Altair goalposts, and the Parrot Heads increased its lead to 4-1.
Altair finally seemed to coordinate the efforts of its players as Kristy Outhier scored the final goal of the third chukker to trail 4-2.
Outhier scored the opening goal of the fourth chukker, cutting the Parrot Heads lead to a single goal, 4-3, but the Parrot Heads weren’t willing to give up that easily. Tiffany Busch scored the team’s fifth goal of the match as Altair continued to challenge the Parrot Heads defense. Another goal from Kristy Outhier had Altair trailing 5-4.
Both teams battled for the ball for the final minute of play, but time expired with the Parrot Heads on the winning end of a 5-4 score.
Kristy Outhier led all scoring with four goals for Altair. Kristine Dalton led the Parrot Heads with two goals. Tiffany Busch and Roni Duke scored single goals and they received one goal by handicap.
The victory boosts the Parrot Heads into Sunday’s 11am finals against Audi at the International Polo Club in Wellington. Altair will meet Catena at 10am in the consolation match.