NEWS

On Sunday, February 25, both Spindrift and STG met on the field of Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, to decide the final of the 8-goal General George S. Patton Jr. tournament. In a game dominated by John Bickford at the penalty line, Spindrift held onto the lead throughout the second half to win the tournament 10-9.

Juan Curbelo opened the first with a goal for Spindrift, but lost the advantage during the chukker. Curbelo added another goal from the field in the second, but was countered by a single Penalty 3 conversion from Francisco Guinazu, leveling the scoreboard. The remainder of the half belonged to Spindrift as Leslie Timms picked up a field goal and Bickford proved deadly from the penalty line, easily scooping up two consecutive penalty conversions to end the third 5-3 in favor of Spindrift.

Play intensified dramatically in the second half, as Spindrift continued to pull away with every successive chukker. Shutting out STG for the second period in a row, Bickford nailed a Penalty 2 and 3 to create a significant lead by the end of the fourth 8-3. Max Menini was finally able to respond to Spindrift’s offensive attack with STG’s first goal since the second chukker. Rallying for a comeback, Guinazu demonstrated his skills from the penalty line with two additional Penalty 3 conversions, but was answered back by yet another from Bickford. Menini responded again from the field, closing the gap on Spindrift 9-7. Down by two headed into the sixth, STG raced to make up the difference and succeeded 9-all with minutes to spare. Breaking the tie and stealing the game, Luis Saracco found his mark between the posts, claiming the win for Spindrift 10-9.