NEWS

Restoration Hardware pulled ahead in the second week of the Maserati of Santa Barbara America Cup with an overtime win against Klentner Ranch on Sunday, August 5, to hold a 4-0 record. Klentner Ranch fired through the first two chukkers of the match creating a five-goal lead, but a slow third chukker allowed Restoration Hardware back in the game. Two penalty conversions by Restoration Hardware's Iñaki Laprida and a third goal from the field by teammate Geronimo Obregon* cut the lead to three goals. Restoration Hardware beat Klentner Ranch once again in the fourth chukker outscoring them however the score remained in favor of Klentner Ranch 7-5. A stagnant fifth period led to a fierce final chukker in regulation play. Geronimo Obregon kept his head down and focused as the game clock ticked down. “We started slow in the first two chukkers, but we fell back into our rhythm as the game went on,” said Geronimo Obregon. Two goals by Restoration Hardware's Santi von Wernich and a third by Laprida were matched by only one from their opponent tying the match as the final bell rang. Laprida sank a Penalty 4 in overtime to win the match for Restoration Hardware 11-10. “Overtime is anyone’s game, and today we were lucky and got the win. We are ready for the rest of the week to see how the final rounds will shake out,” Geronimo Obregon commented following the match.

Earlier in the day, Lucchese dominated Farmers & Merchants Bank (FMB) after a slow start. FMB led the scoring 5-3 in the first half of play with all but one goal being scored from the field. Penalties riddled the fourth chukker, slowing the game temporarily. Carlos “Toly” Ulloa showed his offensive prowess and helped push Lucchese forward. Two goals from the penalty line by Lucchese's Jeff Hall tied the score at six goals apiece in the fourth. Lucchese then took control with three goals scored by Facundo Obregon and a fourth by Hall putting them in the lead for the first time in the game 10-8. Lucchese kept the ball rolling in their favor in the final chukker ending the match with a three-goal lead, 12-9.

The next round of games will be played Wednesday, August 8. The first place team on record is guaranteed a spot in the final and the second and third place teams will play a mini semifinal on Friday, August 10.

All photos ©David Lominska.