NEWS

Six teams blasted out of the gate in the hunt for the most prestigious tournament on the West Coast. Fans from across the country enjoyed a trio of competitive games on the first day of play in the Gulfstream Pacific Coast Open livestreamed on the USPA Polo Network.

The first match-up of the day featured last year's tournament winner, Farmers & Merchants Bank (FMB) against father/son de Narvaez combination on Sol de Agosto. Sol de Agosto hit the field hot leading the match 5-0 through the first two chukkers of the game. Felipe Vercellino came alive for FMB in the third chukker, scoring three consecutive goals for his team. Jim Wright* put the final goal of the chukker in for Sol de Agosto to maintain a hearty lead 6-3. Vercellino continued to be the sole player to score for FMB, adding two more to the tally. Sol de Agosto, scoring all but one from the field thus far, added their final goal of the chukker to make the score 7-5, still leaning towards Sol de Agosto. A single penalty shot made by Lucas Criado was met with two more goals from the opposition. The final chukker of play showed off the fierceness brought about by the shiny PCO trophy. Four goals by the FMB squad and a single goal by Sol de Agosto sent the match into overtime. Vercellino made out like a bandit in the seventh period scoring with ease and giving Farmers & Merchants Bank the first victory of the tournament, 11-10.

Santa Clara, three-time finalists this summer, met a tough Lucchese team for the second match of the day. Lucchese was taking no prisoners, soaring 8-2 in the first three chukkers of play. They continued to play full steam ahead through the second half, easily securing their victory 16-7. Jeff Hall and Agustin Obregon each scored six goals from the field, showcasing the effectiveness of open, fast play.

Klentner Ranch took a cue from Lucchese, turning on the heat against Restoration Hardware, the defending Pacific Coast Open Champions. Brothers Facundo and Geronimo Obregon* came to impress, showing great control of the ball throughout the game. The first two goals of the match went for the Klentner Ranch crew, one from the penalty line and a second on a deep neckshot from Jesse Bray*, 2-0. Jason Crowder took advantage of an open goal penalty to put Restoration Hardware on the board early in the second chukker. Justin Klentner and Facundo Obregon answered back, each scoring for their team. Restoration Hardware fought to take control of the ball. A brilliant pass landed by Ben Soleimani, who swiftly carried the ball downfield, scoring the first goal from the field for Restoration Hardware. Bray, eager to push Klentner Ranch further ahead added three goals to the count in addition to a fourth from Facundo Obregon. The score read 8-2 in favor of Klentner Ranch going into halftime. They continued to forge through the second half, adding to their total. Two goals from each side brought the score 10-4 at the end of the fourth chukker. Restoration Hardware tightened up their defense, leaving little space for Klentner Ranch to score, but they managed to squeeze in four more from the field to claim victory over Restoration Hardware 14-7.

*Costi Caset, Jim Wright, Geronimo Obregon and Jesse Bray are members of Team USPA. Team USPA is a USPA program designed to enhance and grow the sport of polo in the United States by identifying young, talented American players and providing mentored training and playing opportunities leading to a pool of higher rated amateur and pro players and the resultant giveback to the sport of polo.

All photos ©David Lominska