News...

Las Monjitas and Pony Express Ride On
Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship

April 6, 2008

WELLINGTON, FL –Las Monjitas overcame a four goal deficit to beat White Birch 11-10 and move into the quarterfinals of the Stanford U.S. Open Polo Championship at International Polo Club Palm Beach today. In the other US Open game Pony Express fought off a charging Lechuza Caracas in a close match 11-9 to move on to the next round.

Las Monjitas and White Birch are no strangers to the US Open as they have both won it, Las Monjitas in 2006 and White Birch in 2005. In the first half it looked as though White Birch would run away as they mounted a 5-1 lead after two and were 6-4 at the halftime break. But, the break seemed to be White Birch's downfall as Las Monjitas was able to capitalize on their mistakes and score three penalty goals in the fourth to go up 7-6. Las Monjitas never looked back as they stayed in control the final two chukkers to gain the 11-10 victory and advance directly to the quarterfinals.

Camilo Bautista said, "It's tough, they were a very, very, strong team. We have been winning since the Whitney so we are starting to feel the pressure. Hopefully, it's uphill from now." The second contest had Lechuza as the underdog but they matched Pony Express goal for goal only to have victory stolen away in the final minute. Matias Magrini of Pony Express put them up 11-9 following a missed 60 yard penalty goal by Lechuza's Sapo Caset at 1:38. Caset was named MVP of the
game and had scored eight straight goals before the miss.

"My heart was in my throat the whole second half," said Bob Daniels of Pony Express who finished the day with two goals. "This was our first real competitive test and with it being neck and neck anybody could have won."

Magrini added, "We are a young team and need a little more experience and control. We gained that experience by playing good in the fifth and sixth chukkers. But, they still played their hearts out."

Pony Express now moves on to play Black Watch in the next round-a round robin competition between the brackets second and third place winners. Lechuza will move on to the subsidiary Hall of Fame Cup. Stanford U.S. Polo Championship action continues Wednesday, April 9 with three games. At noon Zacara faces Audi and at 3:00 pm there will be two games, Black Watch will play Pony Express and White Birch takes on Isla Carroll.

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.

LAS MONJITAS 0-1-3-3-2-2=11 (7 penalty goals) Nacho Astrada 6
WHITE BIRCH 3-2-1-0-2-2=10 (2 penalty goals) Lucas Monteverde 5

PONY EXPRESS 2-0-3-2-2-2=11 (2 penalty goals) Matias Magrini 5
LECHUZA CARACAS 1-3-2-0-2-1=9 (1 penalty goal) Sapo Caset 8


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