Polito Pieres and Inaki Laprida. Photo: Liz Lamont Images/Phelps Media Group.
Wellington, FL – February 10, 2015 – Villa del Lago defeated Tonkawa 17-13 as bracket play continued in the Ylvisaker Cup at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
The first chukker started with a penalty shot by Polito Pieres, who easily converted for a goal. He followed up with a long pass to an in-motion Agustin Obregon, who tapped the ball in for a second Villa del Lago goal. After some back-and-forth play, Obregon took off and again drove the ball between the goalposts.
Inaki LaPrida worked through the defenders and made a backshot to score Tonkawa’s first goal. A penalty in the goal mouth cost Villa del Lago a point on a penalty one, making the score 3-2. Jeff Blake hit a backshot to Gonzalo Deltour, who tied the score 3-3 at the end of the first chukker.
The second chukker was as action-packed as the first, with Pieres scoring off a breakaway just seconds into the match. Julian de Lusarreta set up Pieres for a tailshot, a move that was repeated throughout the game as the two powerhouses worked in tandem. Pieres converted his second penalty of the day to make the score 6-3. He then made quick work of the Tonkawa defenders, dodging one after another to score on one of his signature dribbles.
Deltour converted a penalty at the start of the third chukker, making the score 7-4. De Lusarreta gained momentum as the chukker wore on, working through defenders to score and then taking off on a breakaway for back-to-back goals. Pieres ended the third chukker with another point on the board for Villa del Lago, bringing the score to 10-4.
Villa del Lago continued its hot streak in the fourth chukker as Pieres came onto the field with guns blazing. He went wide open in a 180-yard drive to goal and then converted for his ninth goal of the game, making the score 12-4. In the next play LaPrida made a strong defensive move, backing out Pieres’ attempt on goal.
LaPrida followed up by snatching the ball out of the air and shooting a pass to Jeff Hildebrand, who drove it in to make the score 12-5. Deltour wove through strong pressure at midfield, stealing the ball and sending it to Blake for another goal. Deltour continued to ride the wave, making a goal on a chip shot. He then converted a penalty to end the fourth chukker 12-8.
Pieres converted for a goal at the top of the fifth, followed by a penalty conversion by Deltour. Pieres set up his right-hand man de Lusarreta for a goal, and then followed up with another goal of his own. De Lusarreta scored again with an assist from Pieres, making the score 16-9. Deltour converted for another goal, ending the fifth chukker 16-10.
Deltour demonstrated his determination and ball-handling skills in the sixth chukker, tapping in back-to-back goals. Pieres scored off of a breakaway from the throw-in. Blake shot a pass to Deltour to score, ending the match 17-13.
Pieres was happy with how his team handled the competition.
“Luckily in the beginning we scored a lot of goals and took a little bit of an advantage,” he said. “It was a tough but fun game to play.”
Play for the Ylvisaker Cup continues Wednesday at 3 p.m. with Coca-Cola playing Gateway Merchants.
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