The final game of the March 6 Goal League featured Palm Desert (Dan Horn, Malia McCoy 1, Joseph Stuart 3, Alonso Andrade 1) lining up against Bush League (Virgil Kyle .5, Ryan Robertson .5, Ulysses Escapite 4, Jose Rodriguez 1). For Bush League it was to be a warm-up event for the USPA 2019 Pacific Coast Governor’s Cup – a tournament they won in 2017 with the same roster.
With a handicap award of one-half goal, Palm Desert started quickly as Stuart scored early. Rodriguez and Kyle replied for Bush League and the first ended with the minor leaguers leading by the handicap difference at 2 – 1.5.
The Bush League lead increased in the second via a penalty one call against Palm Desert but was short lived as Stuart scored his second and Andrade counted one as well. At the half, it was Palm Desert up at 3.5 – 3.
The third was a back and forth as Bush League counted three times – Escapite twice (one penalty 4) and Robertson – and Palm Desert two times – Stuart and Andrade (a penalty 3). Going to the final frame Bush League led again at 6 – 5.5.
Kyle scored the only goal of the fourth period and that would be enough as Escapite did a masterful job of running down the clock that prevented any kind of comeback by Palm Desert. The result was a 7 – 5.5 win for Bush League.
Escapite, always organized and influential, was selected as the MVP.
Blackjack, owned by Dayelle Fargey and Abby Riggs and played by Escapite in the fourth, earned the title of Best Playing Pony.
Tony Gregg
