Travieso Upsets Valiente to Set Up Quarterfinal Shootout
The three final group games created tense situations for many teams as each game impacted the final standings to determine which four teams would make the quarterfinals in Brackets 1 and 2. Three teams entered play 2-0, while the other three found themselves at 0-2, but that quickly changed in the first game of the day as GSA defeated Postage Stamp Farm 11-10. Henry Porter was the star of the game for GSA, finishing with five goals to lead all players on the field, but it was a complete team performance from GSA that was the difference. Mariano Gonzalez and Matias Magrini controlled the flow of play from the back positions, allowing youngsters Porter and Dylan Rossiter to attack offensively. Unforced errors from Postage Stamp Farm in the first two chukkas led to an early 4-2 deficit, but a strong third chukka with three impressive goals from Mariano Aguerre brought the game back to a 5-5 tie at half time. GSA quickly responded in the second half, restoring their two-goal lead behind their strong throw-in performance that saw them win 15 of 23 throw-ins in the game. Porter finished off his five-goal performance with a final goal in the sixth chukka to seal the win for GSA as they waited the results of the last two games to see if their 1-2 record was enough to make the quarter-finals.
The second game featured Tonkawa, who entered the game unbeaten in the 2018 season, against a Coca-Cola team that was missing their highest rated player in Julio Arellano. In a flowing back and forth game that saw just one foul the entire game, it was Tonkawa that was able to assert their offence in the second half, led by patron Jeff Hildebrand’s three goals, to finish with the 8-6 victory. Long passes and backhands were numerous throughout the game, but Tonkawa were able to create more scoring chances but were unable to pull away due to ineffective 7 for 19 shooting. A three-goal final chukka, two from Hildebrand and one from Sapo Caset sealed the victory for Tonkawa and maintained their unbeaten record as the last game would determine if they would place first or second in Brackets 1 and 2.
The final game of the day between Travieso and Valiente left much to be decided as Travieso needed a victory to set-up a shoot-out against GSA, while a loss would be the end of their Ylvisaker Cup. In a tough game against 2-0 Valiente, Travieso’s Sebastian Merlos and Tomas Garcia del Rio led a good defensive effort, while combining to shoot 8 for 9 from the field as Travieso upset Valiente 12-9. Behind a strong 4-1 second chukka that saw Merlos score three goals Travieso was able to build an early 5-2 lead. That lead quickly evaporated in the third chukka as a penalty conversion from Adolfo Cambiaso was followed by back-to-back throw-in goals from Santi Torres and Bautista Panelo to tie the game at 5-5 at halftime. Travieso was able to pull away late in the game behind a collective team defence that held Valiente to 3 for 9 shooting from the field in the second half. With Travieso up by one goal going into the final chukka, a highlight reel neckshot goal from Panelo kept Valiente within reach but it was Tony Calle that scored two goals late to seal the Travieso victory and keep their hopes alive.
Two shootouts will be seen on Friday morning as Valiente and Postage Stamp Farm will go head-to-head to determine the 2nd and 3rd seeds in bracket 1 and 2, while all eyes will be on the shoot-out between GSA and Travieso, as the winner advances to the quarter-finals, while the loser is eliminated from the 2018 Ylvisaker Cup.