Pilot claimed a hard fought 12-11 OT win against Santa Clara in extra chukka in the USPA Gold Cup, the second leg of The Gauntlet of Polo, at International Polo Club Palm Beach, in Wellington, USA. The tournament sees nine teams, up to 22 goals, compete.
Pilot and Santa Clara played a tight match. While Curtis Pilot’s team took early advantages, Santa Clara proved strong in attack and defence. By half time, the score was tied 5-all . Santa Clara took the lead in the fifth, but two more ties followed, until the scoreboard read 11-11 by the end of regulation time, sending the match into an extra chukka. It was Gonzalito Pieres who sealed the deal, scoring the winning goal – his ninth in the game – for Pilot, that sent them into the next round.
The USPA Gold Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, March 28.
The Gauntlet of Polo is streamed live on GLOBAL POLO.
PILOT 12-11 SANTA CLARA
PILOT: Curtis Pilot 0, Matias Gonzalez 4 (1 goal), Lucas James 8 (1), Gonzalo Pieres Jr 10 (9). Total: 22.
Santa Clara: Will Johnston 2 (2 goals), Felipe Vercellino 6 (3), Miguel Novillo Astrada 9 (3), Luis Escobar 5 (3). Total: 22.
Score Pilot: 1-0, 3-3, 5-5, 7-8, 10-10, 11-11, 12-11.
The USPA Gold Cup continues on Saturday, March 20:
10am: Aspen-Dutta Corp vs. Cessna
4pm: Park Place vs. Tonkawa
USPA Gold Cup: Fixture & Teams
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