NEWS

Story Courtesy of International Polo Club Palm Beach

The final two games of bracket play in the 2020 Ylvisaker Cup provided an exciting conclusion to determine the semifinalists set to compete on Wednesday, January 29 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Patagones captured the 10-9 victory over Daily Racing Form, but the latter was declared the winner after an ineligible substitution from Patagones. The second game featured Stable Door Polo completing an impressive comeback against Pilot to claim the 12-10 victory on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field.

This afternoon all attention was on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field, with Stable Door Polo and Pilot both holding a 1-1 record, with the victor advancing to the semifinals. Without Gonzalito Pieres, Lucas Escobar* and Alfonso Pieres, who were replaced by Robi Bilbao, Nico Escobar and Tomas Pieres respectively, Pilot dominated the opening half, holding a six-goal lead, but Stable Door Polo responded with a dynamic team effort that saw four goals each from Santino Magrini and Robert Orthwein to produce a thrilling comeback for the exciting 12-10 victory.

Missing 10-goaler Gonzalito Pieres, Pilot held one goal on handicap to start the game, but it was Tomas Pieres who stepped up offensively for Pilot, scoring three straight goals, all from the field as part of a dominant first chukker. Holding a 5-0 lead, Pilot extended it further on Bilbao’s first goal of the game, fully in control through the opening two chukkers. Robert Orthwein finally broke through for Stable Door Polo to get his team on the scoreboard, but Pilot’s impressive performance overwhelmed their opponents across the field to hold a commanding 8-2 lead at halftime.

The game instantly turned to begin the second half with Stable Door Polo holding more possession and utilizing a balanced team performance to fight their way back into the game. A 3-0 fourth chukker in favor of Stable Door Polo, receiving a goal each from Henry Porter, Orthwein and Matias Magrini cut the deficit in half, giving hope to Stable Door Polo who trailed by three with two chukkers remaining. End-to-end action in the fifth chukker didn’t see a foul on either side of the ball as Nico Escobar and Santino Magrini traded goals back and forth, leaving Stable Door Polo trailing by two. With a spot in the semifinals on the line, Stable Door Polo finished with an incredible sixth chukker behind the Orthwein and Matias Magrini duo, who scored two goals each to complete the comeback and capture the 12-10 victory. Robert Orthwein was named Most Valuable Player, while Matias Magrini's Mini A was awarded the Best Playing Pony.

Daily Racing Form vs. Patagones

Trailing throughout the entire game, Patagones took their first lead over Daily Racing Form in the sixth chukker, fighting their way to victory behind seven goals from Santiago Toccalino, who entered the game for injured Tomas Garcia del Rio in the second chukker. Overcoming inaccurate 5 for 20 shooting, Patagones relied on four penalty goals in the second half, while four missed penalty attempts for Daily Racing Form proved to be the difference in the narrow one-goal defeat.

A line-up change for Daily Racing Form paid immediate dividends in the opening chukker, receiving goals from newcomers Hope Arellano* and Tommy Collingwood to hold an early 2-0 lead. Arguably one of the best players of the tournament thus far, Garcia del Rio was forced out of the game due to injury and was replaced by upcoming GAUNTLET OF POLO™ teammate Santiago Toccalino in the second chukker, leaving Patagones to adjust in the middle of the game. Struggling offensively, Patagones managed just one goal on a Penalty four conversion from Santiago Wulff in the opening half, allowing Daily Racing Form to take a 4-1 lead into halftime.

Finding his footing, Toccalino came out strong in the second half, scoring three consecutive goals to quickly erase their deficit and tie the score at 4-4. Foul trouble for Daily Racing Form brought Patagones back into the game, with Toccalino converting all four penalty shots in the second half. A back-and-forth fifth chukker saw Agustin Obregon pace the Daily Racing Form offense with three goals in the chukker, pulling his team into the narrow one-goal lead with one chukker remaining. Ultimately, Toccalino’s admirable play led Patagones to the comeback and victory in the final chukker, including a penalty three conversion for the game winning goal. Daily Racing Form was awarded the victory despite the 10-9 loss for an ineligible substitution from Patagones due to unpaid USPA membership dues, but with the 2-1 record, Patagones still advanced to the semifinals.

The Ylvisaker Cup advances to the semifinals on Wednesday, January 29 at 12:00pm ET with La Indiana vs. Stable Door and 3:00pm ET with Patagones vs. Coca-Cola. Click here to learn more about the Ylvisaker Cup.

*Hope Arellano and Lucas Escobar 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 Courtesy of ©Alex Pacheco.