News...

Las Monjitas to Face White Birch in
Stanford U.S. Open Polo Semifinals

April 13, 2008

WELLINGTON, FL - Piaget Gold Cup champion Las Monjitas will take on White Birch in the semifinal rounds of the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship on Wednesday as both teams won their respective quarterfinal matches today at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

In the day’s first match White Birch defeated Zacara 16-13, with Lucas Monteverde scoring 11 of White Birch’s winning goals. “We are in good shape compared to the beginning of the season,” said Monteverde, who scored four from the field and the remainder on penalty shots. “It was a tough game, but we were prepared.”

Monteverde and White Birch took a commanding lead during the second half of the game when Monteverde scored two penalty shots and one from the field during the fourth chukker, ending it at 12-9. Monteverde sealed the deal in the final chukker when Zacara was unable to capitalize on its offensive game and allowed Monteverde to score the final two consecutive goals. During the premier game, Las Monjitas defeated Black Watch 13-11, with the powerhouse Astrada brothers – Eduardo, Javier and Nacho, scoring 12 of the 13 goals.

“We’re ready for the semis,” said team captain Camilo Bautista, coming off of his victory at the Piaget Gold Cup last month “Honestly I think we had it by the half. I think in the fifth and the sixth we relaxed a bit. We didn’t score but we kept getting there.”

During the second half, Las Monjitas scored four from the field and allowed Black Watch to capitalize on five penalty shots and an additional two field goals. However, Black Watch’s strength in the second half was not enough to close the gap on the Las Monjitas first half domination, as they were behind 9-4.

Las Monjitas will take on White Birch at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, while Pony Express will open the semifinals at noon when they face defending Stanford U.S. Open champion Crab Orchard.

International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments until the finals of the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship, Sunday, April 20. Information can be obtained by calling 561-204-5687 or the Polo Hotline for game updates at 561-282-5290. Web address, www.internationalpoloclub.com or www.northamericanpololeague.com

ZACARA 3-2-3-1-1-3=13 (5 penalty goals) Carlos Gracida 7
WHITE BIRCH 4-2-3-3-2-2=16 (7 penalty goals) Lucas Monteverde 11
LAS MONJITAS 2-4-3-2-1-1=13 (4 penalty goals) Eduardo Astrada 5
BLACK WATCH 1-2-1-2-2-3=11 (6 penalty goals) Pablo MacDonough 7

Click Here for the updated schedule, scores and rosters of the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship.