Apr 06, 2021 3:41 PM
Story courtesy of International Polo Club Palm Beach
The final game of bracket play in the U.S. Open Polo Championship® resulted in Scone (Sayyu Dantata Jr., Poroto Cambiaso, Peke Gonzalez*, Adolfo Cambiaso) returning to the win column, defeating Coca-Cola (Gillian Johnston, Mackenzie Weisz, Nico Pieres, Julian de Lusarreta) 10-7 on Field 3 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (Wellington,Florida).
Pulling away in the second half, Scone held Coca-Cola to just one goal over a three-chukker stretch, controlling possession to build a significant lead. Producing twice as many shots at goal, Scone was led by the six-goal performance of Peke Gonzalez and the play of Sayyu Dantata Jr., who proved to be an effective substitute for David Paradice, scoring two goals in the victory. Coca-Cola stayed even in the early stages behind the play of Nico Pieres. A strong Scone defense changed the momentum of the game however, while the few fouls Coca-Cola did commit resulted in penalty conversions for Adolfo Cambiaso and Gonzalez, leading to the 10-7 outcome in favor of Scone.
Gillian Johnston opened the game with a goal for Coca-Cola, striking first against a Scone team looking for their first win of the tournament. After Gonzalez tied the score, a Penalty 4 conversion for Pieres pushed Coca-Cola back into the lead as they provided a determined attack in the opening chukker. Making an early impact, Dantata Jr. ended the first chukker with a goal, tying the game 2-all. Trading goals throughout the second chukker, Scone generated their offense from the penalty line while Coca-Cola responded from the field, leaving the score tied with neither team able to pull ahead. A fast-paced end to the first half saw no whistles and nine shots between the two teams. Scone was the only team to find the goal, on a field goal from Gonzalez to take the narrow 5-4 lead into halftime.
Scone began the second half controlling possession and keeping Coca-Cola in their defensive end as they held them to zero shots over the fourth and fifth chukkers. Adolfo Cambiaso increased his presence in the game, receiving a Penalty 1, converting a safety and assisting on a Gonzalez field goal in a span of minutes to give Scone the commanding 8-4 lead. Coca-Cola’s comeback hopes were dashed in the fifth chukker, extending their goalless streak from the field to over 20 minutes. Dantata Jr.’s second goal completed a run of six unanswered goals that left Coca-Cola facing a 10-4 deficit on the scoreboard. Pieres fought to try and bring Coca-Cola within reach, scoring the final three goals of the game, but ultimately Scone’s performance led to the 10-7 victory.
Play resumes on Thursday, April 8 when Aspen/Dutta Corp faces Santa Clara in a playoff game to determine the final spot in the quarter-finals, beginning on Saturday, April 10.
*Peke Gonzalez is an Active Team USPA Member. 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.
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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