Nov 28, 2017 2:27 PM
On Sunday, November 26, at the Argentine Polo Association Headquarters in Pilar, all six teams competing in the first Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo Femenino took to the field in the final round of qualifying play. Ranging from 23 to 30 goals, the rosters boast the world’s best female players from Argentina, Germany, France, and England, as well as six players from the United States. Undefeated Ellerstina (3-0) defeated La Varzea Goose Creek (0-3) 16-2, La Dolfina Brava (3-0) triumphed over their counterpart La Dolfina Brava II (1-2) 11-6, and all-American team Santa Maria de Lobos (2-1) conquered La Dolfina Cria Fax (0-3) 8-4. All the winners of Sunday’s matches advance to the semifinals on Tuesday, November 28, as well as La Dolfina Brava II.
Undefeated Ellerstina breezed past La Varzea Goose Creek, due to the combined efforts of Clara Cassino and Lia Salvo who scored 15 of the total 16 Ellerstina goals. The win left Ellerstina in second position on the semifinalist chart, while La Vareza Goose Creek, who were unable to secure a win in the tournament, were eliminated from the competition.
The Santa Maria de Lobos and La Dolfina Cria Fax game played out like a final, as neither of the teams were assured a position in the semifinal. It was a battle, both teams playing on the attack in search of the win that would put them in the next round. The All-American team finally came out on top, with good defense from Clarissa Echezaretta and captaining from Tiffany Busch. They achieved the victory 8-4 and a ticket to the semifinals where they will meet Ellerstina. La Dolfina Cria Fax, was also eliminated from the running, very much missing Marianela Castagnola who was unable to recuperate from her fall on the second day of competition in time.
The duel between the two La Dolfina Brava teams in the last match was led by Nina Clarkin, alongside the talented youth Mia Cambiaso, and sisters Milagros and Candelaria Fernandez Araujo, who continue to play above their handicap. After four very close periods, in which La Dolfina Brava II played in step with their rival, Tamara Fox very effective from the penalty line, La Dolfina Brava converted six goals in the last two chukkers to take the win 11-6, which left them first on the tournament leaderboard. In the semifinals La Dolfina Brava will have a rematch against La Dolfina Brava II.
The competition, which began on November 22 showcased three days of qualifying games, culminating in the semifinals which will take place Tuesday, November 28 at Sede Alfredo Lalor in Pilar (Directions here). Ellerstina will take on American powerhouse Santa Maria de Lobos at 3:30pm (local Argentina time) and at 5:00pm (local Argentina time) La Dolfina Brava will face La Dolfina Brava II. Members visiting Argentina are highly encouraged to attend the semifinal games in Pilar and don’t forget to arrive early to the Open Final to see the women take over Palermo Field 2. Fans in the U.S. can watch the final live on December 2, at 12:00pm ET by clicking here.
Story courtesy of the Argentine Polo Association, videos compliments of AAPolo.TV, and all photos ©Sebastian Lezica.
Ellerstina 3-0 (30): Clara Cassino (6), Hazel Jackson-Gaona (8), Lia Salvo (9), Sarah Wiseman (7)
La Dolfina Brava 3-0 (27): Mia Cambiaso (5), Milagros Fernandez Araujo (6), Nina Clarkin (10), Candelaria Fernandez Araujo (6)
Santa Maria de Lobos 2-1 (25): Dawn Jones (6), Erica Gandomcar-Sachs (6), Tiffany Busch (7), Clarrisa Echezaretta (6)La Dolfina Brava II 1-2 (25): Mia Novillo Astrada (4), Tamara Fox (7), Maria Bellande (6), Paola Martinez (8)
La Dolfina Cria Fax 0-3 (24): Camila Rossi (5), Marianela Castanola (8), Emma Tomlinson (5), Eva Bruhl (6).
La Varzea Goose Creek 0-3 (23): Julia Smith (5), Maureen Brennan (6), Annabel McNaught-Davis (6), Caroline Anier (6)
**All times written in Argentina local time. Directions to Pilar Fields can be found by clicking here.**
Wednesday, November 22 - Sede Alfredo Lalor in Pilar
Santa María de Lobos def. La Varzea Goose Creek 8-4
La Dolfina Brava def. La Dolfina Cría Fax 14-3
Ellerstina def. La Dolfina Brava II 7-4
Friday, November 24 - Sede Alfredo Lalor in Pilar
La Dolfina Brava def. La Varzea Goose Creek 16-2
Ellerstina def. La Dolfina Cría Fax 14-3
La Dolfina Brava II def. Santa María de Lobos 7-6
Sunday, November 26 - Sede Alfredo Lalor in Pilar
Ellerstina def. La Varzea Goose Creek 16-2
La Dolfina Brava def. La Dolfina Brava II 11-6
Santa María de Lobos def. La Dolfina Cría Fax 8-4
Semifinals - Tuesday, November 28 - Sede Alfredo Lalor in Pilar
3:30pm: Ellerstina vs. Santa Maria de Lobos
5:00pm: La Dolfina Brava vs. La Dolfina Brava II
Final - Saturday, December 2 – Palermo Field 2
2:00pm (12:00pm ET): Winner of Game A vs. Winner of Game B
Effective Date: Saturday, May 16, 2020
The suspension of USPA Tournaments and Events will be lifted for USPA Member Clubs in locales where hosting polo matches and tournaments is permitted under applicable state and local laws, executive orders and similar decrees. The USPA Member Clubs in these locales are encouraged to follow all such requirements of their state and local authorities with respect to polo operations. In addition, we also encourage all USPA Member Clubs to take the precautions recommended by the CDC. We are preparing a detailed list of best practices for USPA Member Clubs as they return to hosting USPA Tournaments and Events and plan to circulate these guidelines within the next week. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely and will notify you if we determine a different course of action is necessary.
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