Piaget’s Juan Bollini (4) goes for the hook against ELG’s Guille Aguero (2). Photos by Scott Fisher.
WELLINGTON, FL – Nov. 13, 2013 — ELG broke open a close game with three goals in the final chukker to defeat Piaget, 14-11, in the opening game of the USPA National 20-Goal Championship Wednesday at windswept Grand Champions Polo Club.
Equine Law Group (Avery Chapman, Guille Aguero, Kris Kampsen, Tommy Biddle) led for most of the hardfought, physical game.
ELG held off a late fifth-chukker rally by Piaget (Melissa Ganzi, Jeff Hall, Piki Alberdi, Juan Bollini) to become one of the early favorites to win its first tournament of the fall season.
With the addition of Biddle to its lineup, ELG, which has finished runners-up three times this season, has big-hitting power joining two-time fall season MVP Guille Aguero, Kris Kampsen and patron Avery Chapman.
“I like to play in front and when you have Tommy in the back I know Tommy can hit those long balls and it makes it easy for us,” said Aguero, who led ELG in scoring with six goals.
“Tommy is so easy to play with and so easy to read. I love playing with him and everyone on this team,” Aguero said. “I like the chemistry on this team. We know each other and we have fun. We have been playing with and against each other for a long time.”
Biddle scored four goals, Kampsen had three, and another goal was picked up by handicap.
ELG jumped out to a 4-1 lead early in the second chukker while holding Piaget scoreless until the final seconds when Hall scored a penalty shot.
With ELG leading by only one at the half, 6-5, Piaget dug its way back to tie the game at 6-6 on Alberdi’s scrappy goal at 5:19 of the fourth chukker.
ELG got its momentum back for the remainder of the fourth chukker for a 10-6 lead with three straight goals from Biddle, Kampsen and Aguero, on an impressive 250-yard breakaway goal.
Aguero scored again early in the fifth chukker to give ELG a five-goal advantage (11-6), but Hall got hot and Piaget trailed by only two goals (12-10) at the end of the fifth.
Piaget’s rally was short-lived as big-hitting Biddle and his teammates took control and put the game out of reach with goals from Biddle and Aguero and clamped down on defense.
Hall scored a game-high eight goals including five on penalty shots, Alberdi scored two, and Ganzi added a goal.
“We played as a team against a very good other team,” Chapman said. “Today we were the better team. I have been on the receiving end of that, too.
“We have said this before but playing with your friends is always helpful,” Chapman said. “I’ve been saying all season that though sometimes we are adversaries and sometimes we are teammates, we know each other and we know each other’s personalities.
“The psychology of polo is important as well. Kris, Guille, Tommy and I have all played together a ton as well as against each other and we were able to leverage that into a good team effort today against another good team.”
In addition to his three goals, Kampsen played well defensively staving off two goal attempts by Piaget late in the game.
“I think this is the first time I have ever won a game in the 20 at Grand Champions,” Kampsen said. “I am excited, super excited.
“We have played together so much that it shows,” Kampsen said. “I played with Guille the last three years in Greenwich and played with Tommy my whole life. I played with Avery last winter in the 14s and Grand Champions spring and fall seasons. It’s one of those things that’s really easy when you are constantly playing with these guys. It makes it easy.”
Kampsen said there were several keys to the game that made the difference.
“We marked up well with our men, tried to make fewer mistakes and had fun; that was the idea, to have fun,” Kampsen said. “This team looks good on paper. I was very excited when I saw it. Every game is going to be competitive. You’re never going to have an easy shot but I am excited. I think we have a good chance.”
The skill level has never been more evident since the 20-goal fall season began two weeks ago with the USPA North America Cup presented by Beluga won by defending champion Audi.
“You’re adding another very talented professional player to the mix,” Chapman said. “Obviously, things get to be more consistent and the plays get to be more creative and that’s going to increase the speed. Twenty goals is fast; there’s no doubt about it; you got to be ready.”
Chapman also praised Grand Champions owners Marc and Melissa Ganzi for preparing the fields, including Palm Beach Polo Field 8 which the opening game was played on. “They did a great job putting effort into these fields; this field played great today and they should be commended for making that effort.”
Six teams are entered in the two-week tournament that is broken down into two divisions. Audi, Casablanca and Grand Champions/Flight Options are in the West bracket and KIG, ELG and Piaget are in the East bracket. The remaining four team rosters are:
Audi (18), Marc Ganzi, Carlitos Gracida, Nic Roldan, Carlos Gracida.
Casablanca (19), Grant Ganzi, Sugar Erskine, Hector Galindo, Mike Azzaro.
Grand Champions/Flight Options (17), TBA, Julio Ezcurra, Carlucho Arellano, Luis Escobar.
KIG (18) Bash Kazi, Brandon Phillips, Michel Dorignac, Jeff Blake.
The next two games are Friday. Defending champion Audi opens against Grand Champions Polo Club/Flight Options at 1:30 p.m. at Palm Beach Polo Field 9 and KIG plays Piaget at 3:30 p.m. at Palm Beach Polo Field 8.
Games are also scheduled for Sunday, Tuesday (Nov. 19) and Thursday (Nov. 21) with the championship final on Nov. 23.
GRAND CHAMPIONS FALL SCHEDULE
Nov. 13-23, USPA National 20-Goal Championship
Nov. 24, Juniors Tournament
Nov. 30, The Legends of Polo, 1 p.m. and International Cup, Team USA vs. Chile, 3 p.m.
GRAND CHAMPIONS POLO CLUB
WHERE: 13444 Southfields Road, on the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road, Wellington, 561-644-5050.
INFORMATION: There are great field side views for tournament action at the home base of pro teams Audi and Piaget. Everyone is welcome to watch high and medium goal polo in a relaxed atmosphere during the spring and fall tournament season and other special events including the International Cup in November, Buzz Welker Memorial Junior Tournament in March, Women’s Championship Tournament and Gay Polo League International Tournament, both in April.
Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
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
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