NEWS

Emerging from the semifinals victorious, Synergy Solutions and Newport Polo engaged in an action-packed National Sherman Memorial Final on Sunday, October 13, at the historic Westchester Polo Club in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Featuring a high number of goals scored from start to finish, the competitive game produced energetic team play from both sides, with Synergy Solutions inscribing their names on the arena trophy 17-11.

Slamming the first goal of the day between the posts, Newport Polo’s Rory Torrey would have a hard-fought battle against Anna Winslow Palacios* in the first half. Retaliating with three consecutive goals, Synergy Solutions unleashed their offensive arsenal, maintaining a pace which would last throughout the entirety of the game. No sooner did Torrey add an early two-pointer, did Winslow Palacios fire back as the teams traded goals. Delivering one powerful blow after another, Winslow Palacios dominated in the second chukker with four field goals and a penalty conversion. Forced to focus on defense Newport Polo was able to pick up three goals before the horn sounded, however the score remained in favor of Synergy Solutions 10-7 at halftime.

Continuing their strong drive into the third, Synergy Solutions was relentless as they continued to widen the gap. Claiming five goals for the third chukker in a row, all players contributed to the scoreboard. Capitalizing on two penalty opportunities in the third, Newport Polo entered the final chukker trailing by six, 15-9. Working quickly to close the gap, Torrey secured his eighth tally of the game, followed up nicely by a goal from Dan Keating. Equalizing Newport Polo’s combined efforts, Winslow Palacios nailed two more for Synergy Solutions to seal the win 17-11.

“We definitely had a very well-rounded and balanced team and I think that is what helped us the most,” Luke Merrick commented. “We also switched our strategy up for the final to a more aggressive man-to-man defense. I assumed the number three position in the bowl-in in order to reach and defend Newport Polo’s Rory Torrey as quickly as possible.”

Responsible for 11 of the winning team’s 17 total goals, Anna Winslow was named Most Valuable Player. “I think we were successful because we made sure to utilize each other’s strengths and play as a unit,” Winslow said. “Luke [Merrick] was really effective defensively and Minnie [Keating] made some critical offensive plays. We also made sure to stay positive and confident and quickly move on to the next play if we committed a foul or made a mistake.”

Best Playing Pony was presented to Dan Keating’s Missy, played by Anna Winslow in the second half of the first and second chukkers. “After playing her in the first chukker, I knew I wanted to bring her back in because she was handy, powerful and had a wicked bump,” Winslow said. “She brought me everywhere I needed to be during that second chukker when we started to build our momentum.”

All photos courtesy of ©Scott Trauth.

*Anna Winslow Palacios is a Team USPA alumna. 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.