Succumbing to Pilot in their first game of the tournament, La Indiana was granted another opportunity to rectify their one loss in the Iglehart Cup Final on Thursday, March 15, at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. Despite a strong comeback in the sixth, La Indiana was unable to stop Pilot’s offensive drives and they ultimately took the trophy 11-9.

Utilizing the strong defensive skills of their teammates to create breaks, Facundo and Gonzalito Pieres opened the first with two commanding goal shots from the field. Winning the next throw-in and galloping straight to goal, La Indiana countered with two impressive goals of their own. Excellent blocking from Timmy Dutta kept Facundo Pieres well out of La Indiana’s reach throughout the first half, as he thundered across the field relatively unchallenged, easily picking up two field goals by the end of the second chukker to double up the score 6-3 in favor of Pilot.

Making the only goal with a shot approximately 40-yards from the posts, Ruiz played a fearless fourth chukker. Diverted temporarily in the fourth, Pilot’s prowess accelerated them into the lead in the fifth with three consecutive goals by the Pieres brothers. Once in possession of the ball, Facundo Pieres surged forward, dodging the mallets of defenders as he rode out in front free and clear. Starting off the sixth 10-7 with Pilot leading, La Indiana would have to elevate their game in an attempt to overtake the lead.

Aggressive plays by both sides led to two pivotal penalty conversions for La Indiana, providing the motivation they needed for a final push. The clock ran down as La Indiana searched desperately for the equalizer. In the final moments however, Facundo Pieres would seal Pilot’s victory with a goal from the penalty line, his eighth of the game, bringing the final score 11-9.

PILOT 11-9 LA INDIANA

•Pilot: Curtis Pilot A, Timmy Dutta 1, Gonzalito Pieres 9 (3 goals), Facundo Pieres 10 (8). Total: 20.
•La Indiana: Michael Bickford 2, Toro Ruiz 5 (4 goals), Facundo Obregon 6 (4), Jeff Hall 7. Total: 20.
Score Pilot: 3-2, 6-3, 7-6, 7-7, 10-7, 11-9.
•MVP: Toro Ruiz.
•BPP: Open So Easy. Played by Gonzalito Pieres.
•TOP SCORER OF THE TOURNAMENT: Facundo Pieres (24).

GLENN HART CUP: PRESTIGE WORLDWIDE 12-9 POSTAGE STAMP

•Prestige Worldwide: Will Johnston 2 (1 goal), Felipe Viana 5 (3), Miguel Novillo Astrada 9 (6), Stevie Orthwein 4 (1). Total: 20.
•Postage Stamp: Annabelle Gundlach A (1 goal), Brandon Phillips 5 (3), Mariano Aguerre 9 (2), Kris Kampsen 6 (2). Total: 20.
•Score Pilot: 3-3, 4-6, 6-7, 8-7, 11-8, 12-9.
•MVP: Felipe Viana.
•BPP: Vitamina. Played by Mariano Aguerre.

Action at International Polo Cup continues as follows:
USPA GOLD CUP (26 Goals)
•Saturday:
10:30am: Daily Racing Form vs. Colorado
TBA: Audi vs. Tonkawa
CARLOS GRACIDA CUP (20 Goals)
2:30pm: Coca Cola vs Horseware