Facundo Obregon, Cody Ellis, Jared Zenni and Rodrigo Andrade. Photo: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.
Wellington, FL – February 4, 2015 – FlexJet beat Palm Beach Illustrated 13-11 in the 20-goal Ylvisaker Cup on Wednesday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Although FlexJet led for most of the match, Palm Beach Illustrated managed to tie it up three times – twice in the second chukker and once in the fifth, giving Palm Beach Illustrated fleeting moments of hope. The final tie (10-10) drew gasps from the sidelines, which were exceptionally crowded for a midweek match. That tie came courtesy of Facundo Obregon, who scored nine of Palm Beach Illustrated’s total 11 goals (four of them in the last two chukkers).
The game started with Palm Beach Illustrated making the first two goals, both by Obregon. In a horse race with FlexJet’s Miguel Astrada, Obregon rode a rocket ship with a mane and tail to score. Palm Beach Illustrated did a remarkable job of keeping the ball on its end of the field for a large portion of the first chukker, which ended 2-1 in its favor.
FlexJet’s players swarmed into the second chukker like escapees from a beehive that had just broken open, sending Palm Beach Illustrated scattering. FlexJet scored four rapid-fire goals, the first of which came on a penalty shot in the opening moments of the chukker. It was followed by a slick handoff from Rodrigo Andrade to Cody Ellis, who flipped the ball in on a belly shot so fast that had you blinked, you’d have sworn Andrade made the goal.
Palm Beach Illustrated seemed to start mimicking its opponent’s successful swarm technique, spreading out and then pairing up to pester the heck out of any FlexJet player who had possession of the ball. For a time the strategy was successful. Michel Dorignac briefly tied the game for Palm Beach Illustrated at 3-all, but a 72-yard slammer by Melissa Ganzi and a tight cutshot by Ellis added two more points to FlexJet’s side of the scoreboard.
Obregon responded by stealing the ball and making it his own all the way to goal. Tommy Collingwood herded a determined Andrade, keeping him completely out of the play so Obregon could score. The first half ended with FlexJet leading 8-6.
The most jaw-dropping defensive play of the game (and there were plenty of them) came in the fifth chukker. Dorignac pulled out ahead all by himself, stampeding downfield until he was just in front of the goal mouth. He wound up, and it looked like a sure goal – until Astrada decided to put the pressure on. He pulled out of the pack and charged in is direction. That apparently startled Dorignac, causing him to look up for a split second as he was taking the shot. It went wide. A penalty shot by Obregon then tied the game at 10-10, but FlexJet retook the lead and never let go for a 13-11 win.
FlexJet’s game was decidedly stronger than it was earlier in the tournament, when it lost to Valiente. In the match against Palm Beach Illustrated, all four FlexJet members scored, starting with Ellis. He turned out to be a stealth force, making FlexJet’s first goal of the match and following up with four more. Rated at 2 goals, Ellis provided an unanticipated boost to the scoring streak by Astrada, who put six points on the board. FlexJet’s Andrade and Ganzi each scored once.
The match was Ellis’s highest-scoring game to date in 20-goal tournament play. As player after player made a pilgrimage to the FlexJet tent to congratulate him after the game, Ellis was humble about his performance but couldn’t mask his excitement.
“It was fun! I got some ball, got to run a little bit,” he said. He attributed his goal-making to his recent opportunity to train with 9-goalers Andrade and Astrada. “It has been a great learning experience. I think I’m just getting to know them better and know the horses better and getting used to the speed.”
Astrada called it a tough game, adding that Palm Beach Illustrated is a very balanced team. “The four of them are good players, and they play well together. We had patience and we scored important goals. That’s what made the difference.”
The Ylvisaker Cup continues Thursday as two high-octane teams – Engima and Audi – battle it out at noon at IPC.
International Polo Club Palm Beach Fast Facts
What: Created by players for players, the International Polo Club Palm Beach was born out of the dream to build a facility to showcase the incredible skills of the ponies and players that dominate the sport.
Members and guests enjoy panoramic views of the action from field side box seats or lawn and terrace seating. Sponsors and fans convene at The Winners Circle to congratulate the players during the awards presentation following the games.
Gourmet brunches, après polo celebrations and the prerequisite charitable events will take place in The Pavilion, designed to accommodate large parties, corporate clients, as well as family and friends.
Featured Highlights:
Herbie Pennell Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 1-4, 2015
Joe Barry Memorial Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 4-25, 2015
Ylvisaker Cup – 20 Goal
Jan. 28 – February 22, 2015
Iglehart Cup – 20 Goal
Feb. 28 – March 8, 2015
USPA C. V. Whitney Cup – 26 Goal
Feb. 15 – March 1, 2015
Piaget USPA Gold Cup® – 26 Goal
March 4-22, 2015
111th Maserati U.S. Open Polo Championship® – 26 Goal
March 25 – April 19, 2015
Directions:
From the Turnpike:
Take the Lake Worth Exit
Head west on FL-802 W/Lake Worth Rd toward Hooks Rd
Continue to follow Lake Worth Rd (3.9 miles)
Turn right onto 120th Ave S
Destination will be ahead on the left (0.4 miles)
From I-95:
Exit Forest Hill Blvd, head West
Make Left turn onto 441/St Rd 7
Make Right turn onto Lake Worth Rd
Make Right turn onto 120th Ave S
Destination on Left
Information:
3667 120th Ave S, Wellington, FL 33414
International Polo Club Palm Beach: 561-204-5687
Mallet Grille: 561-282-5340
Spa & Fitness Center: 561-282-5288
Tennis Pro Shop: 561-795-7228
Polo Operations Office: 561-282-5283
Polo Hotline: 561-282-5290
Website:
www.internationalpoloclub.com
For Tickets:
http://internationalpoloclub.ticketleap.com/
Hotels:
Hampton Inn & Suites – (561) 472-9696 – Approximately 2 miles
Hampton Inn – (561) 472-5980 – Approximately 4 miles
Four Seasons Resort – (561) 582-2800 – Approximately 9 miles
The Breakers – (561) 655-6611 – Approximately 9 miles
Kimpton Tideline Ocean Resort & Spa – (561) 540-6440 – Approximately 9 miles
Management:
John Wash – President of Club Operations
jwash@internationalpoloclub.com
561-282-5353
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com