In a final match that centered more on defense than offense, Arizona (David Barnet, Dan Faherty, Manny Rodriguez and Benito Andrade) rallied for three unanswered goals in the fourth and final chukker to defeat Vashon (Stephanie Davidson, Juan Martin Gutierrez, Jeffrey Rewald and Zinta Rewald) in the opening 1-goal league f the Empire Polo Club season.
A first chukker goal from Juan Martin Gutierrez gave Vashon the early 1½ -0 lead (Vashon received one-half goal by handicap), but that was where the offenses of both teams dried up. Despite aggressive efforts by both sides, their respective defenses remained impenetrable for the next two periods. After three periods of play, Vashon retained the delicate 1½-0 advantage.
Dan Faherty scored the opening goal of the fourth period with Manny Rodriguez adding another Arizona goal for a 2-1½ lead. Flaherty’s second goal of the game was supported by Arizona’s third straight defensive shutout as they cruised to the 3-1½ victory.
Faherty led the field with two goals. Rodriguez scored once. Gutierrez accounted for Vashon’s only goal of the day, and the team received one-half goal by handicap.
Flaming Chicken 8½, World Gym 8
World Gym (Claudia Uretz, Todd Randall, Tom Schuerman and Wiley Uretz) looked like odds-on favorites in the opening half of play in the consolation round of action in 1-goal league play, but a plucky Flaming Chicken lineup (Joey Gallemore, Devon Gallemore, Victor Soto and Jose Quiroz) turned the tables on them in the second half to sneak off with the 8½ to 8 win.
Flaming Chicken received one-half goal by handicap but were forced to watch World Gym score four straight goals to take a 4-½ lead after the first seven minutes of play. Three goals from Tom Schuerman and a single goal from Wiley Uretz accounted for all of the scoring from the field in the opening chukker.
Single goals from Schuerman and Claudia Uretz were countered by a single goal from Joey Gallemore as World Gym left the field at the end of the first half on top of a 6 to 1½ lead.
Whatever it was that the Flaming Chicken discussed at halftime, it got them going n the right direction. Victor Soto scored twice while Joey Gallemore and Devin Gallemore each scored. World Gym responded with goals from Schuerman and Wiley Uretz to maintain the advantage, 8 to 5½.
Flaming Chicken took control of the final chukker, picking up goals from Soto and the two Gallemores. World Gym was unable to mount an effect attack in the final frame of the game and fell, 8½ t0 8.
Joey Gallemore and Soto led the Flaming Chicken attack with three goals apiece. Devon Gallemore scored twice and the team received one-half goal by handicap. Schuerman led the field with five goals on the day, Wiley Uretz added two goals and Claudia Uretz was credited with a goal in the loss.
The post Arizona wins first 1-goal league of the season appeared first on Empire Polo Club.