Following a rain delay of four days, the eagerly anticipated US Open women’s final took place under blue skies and bright sunshine at the NPC stadium field . The undefeated Buena Vibra team met 90210, winners of their tightly fought league. Sarah Siegel Magness, patron of 90210 unfortunately fell ill overnight but was ably replaced by Winnie Branscum who was instrumental in opening the scoring for 90210.
A fast and furious first half saw Buena Vibra under the leadership and accurate penalty shooting of Milly Hine assuming Buena Vibra a 6/3 lead before being pegged back to 6/5 going into half time by some exquisite stick work and incredible horse power of Mia Cambiaso.
After the half time break 90210 continued their dominant field play and surged into a 6/8 lead before successive 40 and 60 yard penalties by Milly Hine drew the score even at eight all.
In a high scoring fifth chukka which saw Cata Lavinia and Meghan Gracida combine together producing three field goals while for Buena Vibra, Clari Cassino, Tita Tarazona and Cory Williams responded strongly to close the gap and finish the fifth chukka trailing 10/11.
In a dramatic last chukka Buena Vibra asserted their authority with excellent team work producing three unanswered goals to run out 13/11 victors in this high scoring and extremely close and hard fought match.
Both teams played their best games of the tournament but it was Milly Hine with her pivotal roll, eight goal tally and tournament highest scorer, who was deservedly awarded MVP. BPP was awarded to Mia Cambiaso’s Dolfina Ceniza.
US OPEN WOMEN’S POLO CHAMPIONSHIP – FINAL – FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23
BUENA VIBRA 13-11 90210 POLO
Buena Vibra: Clara Cassino 8, Milly Hine 8, Valentina Tarazona 1, Cory Williams 4. Total: 21.
90210 Polo: Sarah Siegel-Magness 2*, Mia Cambiaso 8, Cata Lavinia 7, Meghan Gracida 4. Total: 21.
*Subbed in by Winifred Branscoum.
Score Buena Vibra: 3-2, 5-3, 6-5, 8-8, 11-10-13-11.
Umpires: Adrian Wade & George Olivas. Third man: Julian Appleby.
MVP: Milly Hine.
BPP: Dolfina Ceniza, ridden by Mia Cambiaso.
US OPEN WOMEN’S POLO CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAMS:
BRACKET A
Mint Eco Carwash: Kylie Sheehan 5, Malia Bryan 5, Cecelia Cochran 4, Izzy Parsons 8. Total: 22.
La Fe: Hope Arellano 10, Hanan Fadil 1, Hazel Jackson 10, Naomi Tachibana Marlough 1. Total: 22.
Parrotheads Polo: Lia Salvo 9, Fatima Balzano 6, Roni Duke 2, Sophie Grant 5. Total: 22.
90210 Polo: Sarah Siegel-Magness 2, Mia Cambiaso 8, Cata Lavinia 7, Meghan Gracida 4. Total: 21.
BRACKET B
Work to Ride/Grand Champions: Caitlin Cregg 3, Shariah Harris 3, Maddie Grant 6, Nina Clarkin 10. Total: 22.
Iconica: Maureen Brennan 5, Candelaria Fernández Araujo 9, Sofia Rivas 5, Winifred Branscum 3. Total: 22.
Buena Vibra: Clara Cassino 8, Milly Hine 8, Valentina Tarazona 1, Cory Williams 4. Total: 21.
BTA/Lazy 3: KC Krueger 6, Sarah Wiseman 7, Anna Palacios 5, Jordan Fikes 3. Total: 21.