Cotterel Hangs On to Win Beal Memorial 12 Goal

The final game of the 2013 12 Goal Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Cup turned out to be a game of streaks - as in goal scoring streaks. Both Jenny Lutterell's Cotterel Farms and Ben Soleimani's Mansour came into the game with perfect records from bracket play and both had been to finals this season with both coming away as runners-up - in fact, Lutterell had been twice before.The start was very fast for Cotterel as a quick jump out of the opening throw-in led to early pressure on the Mansour goal and a Santiago Wulff clearing effort was deflected through by Ignacio Saracco. The rug guys managed to come back in a hurry and pressure on the Cotterel goal was rewarded with a Danny Walker open goal conversion to tie the count at one. At this point, the first streak of the afternoon started as Luis Saracco (from the field) and Ruben Coscia (penalty two) got things started and Lutterell and her farmhands led by two after the first with the count at 3 - 1.The second was pretty much all Cotterel as they smothered Mansour with absolutely devastating force that allowed Ignacio Saracco and Coscia to score one goal each and the second ended with the farmers now leading by four (5 - 1).Cotterel kept up the pace early in the third as both Saraccos and Coscia (penalty 4) scored and they had now counted seven goals in a row and had amassed a lead of seven at 8 - 1. With Mansour now 'on the ropes', and in need of help, Walker stepped up and counted one from the field to end the onslaught. With the streak ended, the entire Soleimani Group seemed to relax and Santiago Von Wernich was able to score to bring the rug people back to within five at the half.With one goal scoring streak ended, another had started as Mansour, now playing with extreme confidence, took control in the fourth and applied pressure on Cotterel - now the overwhelmed team - as Walker converted two open goal free-throws and Von Wernich added one from the field. With the farmers in disarray, the Soleimani boys were making sales and trailed by just two going to the fifth (8 - 6).Mansour kept pounding early in the fifth and Walker was offered another open goal opportunity that he seized and the Mansour streak was now six goals. With that counter being the only goal of the chukker, the Cotterel lead was but one goal going into the final (8 - 7) and the farmers were most definitely the team in trouble now - not having scored since the third.Mansour kept the pressure on but were able to get nothing in the early going of the sixth and the pendulum was starting a swing to now favor Cotterel as the ever cool Coscia grabbed a goal to stop the Mansour streak at six and allowed Cotterel to win the Beal Memorial by a score of 9 - 7. As a result, the soon to be bride, was no longer a bridesmaid.As a reward for his cool and steady play, Coscia was selected as the MVP and Wulff's horse Pele was chosen as the Best Playing Pony.Carlton and Keleen Beal Memorial Cup - 2013Cotterel Farms (12) - Jenny Lutterell, Luis Saracco 4, Ignacio Saracco 3, Ruben Coscia 5.Mansour (12) - Ben Soleimani, Danny Walker 2, Santiago Wulff 5, Santiago Von Wernich 5.Tony Gregg    

World Gym 6 Goal Trophy Goes to Thermal

The final game of the Mike and Claudia Uretz World Gym 6 Goal tournament, was a contest between two unbeaten teams coming out of the qualifying round. On the one side, Dan Horn's Palm Desert, without the injured Horn, and on the other, Canadian Reg Whyte's Thermal aggregation. Both teams had actually made some significant changes after the January tournaments. With Horn out, Malia McCoy stepped in and Hank Uretz was added to the Palm Desert roster to assist Danny Walker and Federico Wulff. For Whyte, Emma Stachowicz came in along with Nicolas Maciel to work with Fergus Gould. Obviously the changes worked out for both.Having to give up a half goal at the start, Thermal put early pressure on Palm Desert that led to two super penalty four conversions from Maciel and with Gould adding a field goal, Whyte and his farmhands were off to a great start leading 3 - .5 after the first.Palm Desert developed some momentum of their own early in the second as they started to push back. With 5;16 left in the period, Maciel was injured and after some time, it was determined that he shouldn't return. With Maciel out, Bryan Middleton stepped in to help and found out that his first job was to watch as Danny Walker converted a penalty two opportunity - a result of the Maciel incident - and Palm Desert had one on the board. With Middleton in, and on unfamilair horses, Walker and Wulff took advantage and scored field goals and the second was over, with the Horn Group up by the handicap difference at 3.5 - 3.Palm Desert continued the aggression in the third and were rewarded another open goal try that Walker easily converted and the lead was now 1.5 goals. With Middleton and Gould having played together in January, it was only a matter of time before he and Gould would find comfort working together and Gould was then able to convert a Middleton pass and the Palm Desert lead was, at 'halftime', only the handicap award (4.5 - 4).With Gould and Middleton now finding a rhythm, they were able to press Palm Desert and converted an open goal opportunity from about five yards to get the lead back by a half point. Palm Desert came back however as Walker scored on a penalty three attempt and McCoy scored a beauty because of a quick and aggresive move to return an imperfect Thermal backhand.  Not fazed, Gould later grabbed a pass from Middleton and, from 100 yards out was able to fight off Wulff while taking a very circuitous and impressive nearside route to goal and scored from 30 yards well left and only several yards from the end line - a play that in hindsight should have been the announcer's 'play of the day'. Middleton then  converted a safety from about 65 yards from goal and the period ended with Thermal leading once again at 7 - 6.5).In the fifth, Middleton converted another open goal attempt to complete the scoring and Reg Whyte, the 2010 Governor's Cup Winner, and his Thermal farmhands were the winneres of the 23rd annual World Gym Tournament by a count of 8 - 6.5. World Gym 6 Goal TournamentThermal (6) - Reg Whyte, Emma Stachowicz -1, Fergus Gould 4, Nicloas Maciel 3, Bryan Middleton 3 (sub. for Maciel).Palm Desert (5.5) - Danny Walker 2, Malia McCoy .5, Hank Uretz, Federico Wulff 3, Dan Horn .5 (inj.)Tony Gregg      

Hanalei Bay Rides Wave To World Gym 12 Goal Victory

For the third time in as many tournaments, Ron Bonaguidi's Hanalei Bay surfers caught another big wave and rode it to a final game victory. This time, on Sunday, February 10, it was the 12 Goal World Gym Tournament, sponsored by Mike and Claudia Uretz.Going into the final undefeated  in qualifying play, Bonaguidi and his pack went up against Ben Soleimani's Mansour foursome - a team they beat in the qualifier - and landed on the beach with a 9 - 8 overtime win. By most accounts, it was one of the most exciting games played at Eldorado in the last several years.The Hawaiians grabbed a very quick lead from the opening throw-in as Mariano Fassetta, from the line-up, sent a perfect pass to a running, and very open, Jared Sheldon and within the first 19 seconds, it was 1 - 0 Hanalei Bay - just like that. Not fazed at all, Mansour's Santiago Von Wernich scored twice and all of a sudden, with less than 150 seconds gone, the lead belonged to Mansour. A penalty four conversion by Von Wernich later on in the first gave the rug salesmen a lead of two, but Joseph Stuart scored from the field and a wild first period ended with Mansour up by one at 3 - 2.The fast pace continued in the second, but goals were hard to get, as long runs, by both sides, were stopped by great defensive efforts by both sides. Fassetta finally broke through and scored on another long run and it was tied at three going to the third.Jessica Bailey, substituting for an injured Soleimani, scored on a very impressive and aggresive effort from 100 yards out and Mansour had the lead once again. However, the always lurking Sheldon grabbed his second and it was tied going to the half - this time at four.Mansour went up by one early in the fourth on Santiago Wulff's first goal of the game, but Hanalei Bay came back strong and quickly with relentless pressure that led to a pair of open goal coversions by Sheldon and singles by Stuart and Fassetta to give the surfers the largest lead of the afternoon  at 8 - 5.The fifth was scoreless and gave everyone the impression that the World Gym Trophy would belong to Hanalei Bay as all they had to do was 'hang on' in the final frame.It appeared as if the Bonaguidi pack was thinking the same thing as the rug guys came out in the sixth and sold product - lots of product as they overwhelmed the islanders with relentless pressure which led to a pair of counters from Von Wernich and another from Bailey and all of a sudden it was a tie game going to extra time.The overtime period was, if nothing else, draining as both teams were afforded penalty opportunities that were not converted. With the big crowd starting to wonder when a winner would emerge, Fassetta was able to set-up a wide open Stuart with a perfect pass and it was over with Hanalei Bay winning the 22nd renewal of the World Gym Tournament.23rd Annual World Gym Tournament - 12 GoalHanalei Bay (12) - Ron Bonaguidi, Mariano Fassetta 6, Jared Sheldon 3, Joseph Stuart 3.Mansour (11) - Ben Soleimani, Santiago Von Wernich 5, Santiago Wulff 5, Remy Mueller 1, Jessica Bailey 1 (sub. for Soleimani).Tony Gregg     

Hanalei Bay and Gypsy Wear the Kerley Spurs

With the much sought-after Chris Kerley Spurs as the reward, the final games of the Wendell Kerley Memorial Tournament - delayed because of rain - were played on Saturday and Sunday, with Ron Bonaguidi's Hanalei Bay winning the 12 Goal tournament, and Suzanne Figi's Gypsy capturing the 6 goal test.In the 6 Goal, played Saturday in front of a large Cantina lunch crowd, Gypsy went up against Rick Paicius and his Trinity organization and came away with a 10 - 8 victory.At the start, it looked as if Paicius and Co. were going to walk all over the wanderers as they jumped out to a very quick two goal lead with counters from Tim Rudy and Miguel Gutierrez. However, the young Gypsy quarterback, Jesse Bray grabbed two of his own late in the period and it was tied a two going to the second.The second was rather uneventful, but it became apparent that Gypsy had a defensive plan as Bray, along with Mike Kerley, Jessica Bailey, and Gustavo Patino (substituting for Figi) kept the Paicius Group off the scoresheet while grabbing a goal coutesy of a penalty three conversion by Kerley that gave the wanderers a lead of one at 3 - 2.The Gypsy defensive plan was in full operation in the third as Trinity was able to do nothing offensively and that strong effort was rewarded with a series of turnovers that led to three goals including a field goal by Kerley and a pair of free throws by Bray - a number three and a spectacular number six from about 70 yards away from goal. The 'half' ended with Gypsy leading by four at 6 - 2.The ten minutes of 'halftime' gave the Trinity Group time to formulate a plan to stop the pain - something Paicius is very good at - and it was time well spent. Despite allowing a goal early in the fourth, Rudy and Gutierrez applied pressure and it worked as the teams traded goals throughout the fourth. For Gypsy, it was Kerley with a pair of field goals and Bray with a penalty three counter. The reply for Trinity was Rudy from the field and Gutierrez with two open goal efforts. The final chukker would start with Gypsy still up by four, this time at 9 - 5, but Trinity was scoring.Paicius and Co. opened up the fifth with a pair of super runs by Rudy, set up by Gutierrez, and it appeared that it was going to be close after all. However, Kerley exploded from a throw-in at center and with help from Bailey, got one back to grab a lead of three with little time left. Rudy converted a penalty four at the end, but the victory, and the spurs, belonged to Gypsy.For his aggressive and solid play, Kerley was selected as the MVP, and his mare, Peppermint, owned by Triangle Bar Farms, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony. For Kerley, it was a wonderful day as he won the tournament named for his father and received the awards (created by his brother) from his children, Hope and Ryan - grandchildren of Wendy Kerley.The 12 Goal Kerley Memorial final, played on Super Bowl Sunday featured Ron Bonaguidi's Hanalei Bay against defending Kerley champions, Jenny Lutterell's Cotterel Farms.From the outset, it was apparent that the Bonaguidi pack was prepared as they rode to a quick lead of two goals in the first 75 seconds with strikes from Bonaguidi (penalty two) and Jared Sheldon from the field. Not to be outdone, Cotterel's Ruben Coscia scored 40 seconds later on a perfect pass from the throw-in after the Sheldon goal to narrow the lead. Sheldon, however, scored again later in the period and the first ended with the surfers leading at 3 - 1.In the second, Mariano Fassetta got up and scored his first of the afternoon to give the Hawaiians a lead of three but replies from Coscia and Ignacio Saracco kept the farmers in it as they trailed by just one going to the third at 4 - 3.That third, however, was all Hawaii as Cotterel was unable to do anything and Fassetta scored again and Sheldon added a pair of open goal counters to end the half with Bonaguidi ahead by four at 7 - 3.The fourth was relatively quiet as each team scored once - Coscia from 30 yards and Fassetta from the field - and it was 8 - 4 Hanalei Bay.The surfers increased their lead to five in the fifth as Fassetta scored twice and Sheldon once (penalty two) with the farmers getting only a pair from Coscia and Saracco.Coscia counted his fifth of the game early in the final period but Fassetta wanted to catch another wave and did with a great run, and with a goal from Joseph Stuart, the final score was 13 - 7 and the Bonaguidi pack had earned the coveted award.With a very strong and controlling effort, Fassetta was a unanimous choice as the MVP and his fourth chukker mare, Pippaletta, was chosen as the Best Playing Pony. Wendell Kerley Memorial 6 Goal Gypsy (6) - Suzanne Figi -1, Jesse Bray 4, Mike Kerley 2, Jessica Baily 1, Gustavo Patino -1 (sub for Figi).Trinity (6) - Rick Paicius, Tim Rudy 3, Miguel Gutierrez 3, Kim Garsed and David Flowers -1 alternating. Wendell Kerley Memorial 12 GoalHanalei Bay (12) - Ron Bonaguidi, Mariano Fassetta 6, Jared Sheldon 3, Joseph Stuart 3.Cotterel Farms (12) - Jenny Luttrell, Luis Saracco4, Ignacio Saracco 3, Ruben Coscia4.Tony Gregg    

*Gypsy To Play Trinity in Kerley 6 Goal Final

Trinity defeated Cotterel Farms/TSA Motorsports to earn a berth in the Wendell Kerley Memorial final against Bracket #1 winner, Gypsy.The time of the game is yet to be determined.BRACKET #1Gypsy                               3   0   Def - Thermal/Hanalei Bay, Stormcat/Adeptus, Palm Desert (advances to final)Thermal/Hanalei Bay       1   1   Def - Palm Desert   Lost - GypsyPalm Desert                     1   2   Def - Stormcat/Adeptus   Lost - Thermal/Hanalei Bay, GypsySrormcat/Adeptus            0   2   Lost - Gypsy, Palm DesertGypsy advances to final with win over Palm Desert.Game between Thermal/Hanalei Bay and Stormcat/Adeptus is not neccessary. BRACKET #2Trinity                                                    2   0    Def - Blazers, Cotterel FArms/TSA Motorsports (advances to final)Blazers                                                  1   1   Def - Cotterel Farms/TSA Motorsports   Lost - TrinityCotterel Farms/TSA Motorsports          0   2   Lost - Blazers, Trinity.  

*Hanalei Bay & Cotterel Will Play Kerley 12 Goal Final

A three-way tie for first place, after league play,  in the Kereley Memorial 12 Goal Tournament necessitated the use of the first ever USPA 'Shootout Tournament Tiebreaker' on the Pacific Coast. With identical records of 3 - 1, Northern Blizzard, Cotterel Farms, and Hanalei Bay went to the line and Northern Blizzard was eliminated from further play. The final, between Cotterel and Hanalei Bay will be played on Sunday, February 3, 2013, at 2 PM.Northern Blizzard       3   1   Def - Twin Palms, Antelope, Cotterell   Lost - Hanalei BayHanalei Bay                3    1 Def - Twin Palms, Northern Blizzard, Antelope Lost - Cotterel (advance to final)Cotterel Farms          3   1   Def - Antelope, Hanalei Bay, Twin Palms   Lost - Northern Blizzard (advance to final)Twin Palms               1   3   Def - Antelope   Lost - Northern Blizzard, Hanalei Bay, CotterelAntelope                    0   4   Lost - Northern Blizzard,  Cotterel, Twin Palms, Hanalei Bay Final to be played on Sunday, February 3, 2013  

Blazers Recover to Win 6 Goal Veen Memorial

The first 6 Goal final of the 2013 season, the Tony Veen Memorial, featured Dan Horn and Leigh Brecheen's Palm Desert group going up against Pat Powell and his Blazers polo team, with both teams coming into the final with perfect records following bracket play.On a very cold afternoon in the Coachella Valley of Southern California, Palm Desert, starting with a handicap award of one half, and wearing their red shirts, started red hot with three quick goals to take the very early lead . A penalty four conversion by Federico Wulff and field goals by Brecheen and Danny Walker within the first three minutes most certainly stung the Blazers, who usually start quickly themselves, but were obviously not blazing at the outset of this one. With no time to take an antihistamine, Kyle Fargey simply treated the sting as a local reaction, shook it off and got to work. Before the first was over, he had converted a pair of open goal opportunities and the first ended with the Blazers trailing by just 1.5 at 3.5 - 2 in favor of Plam Desert.A field goal by Jake Devane brought Powell and Co. back to the handicap difference early in the second and it appeared that the Blazers had recovered. However, Wulff scored from the field to give Palm Desert the 1.5 cushion once again. Powell then scored and the difference was once again the handicap award. Not for long though, as Walker converted a penalty three and Horn scored with just one second left in the period to take a lead of 2.5 goals into the third at 6.5 - 4.A big play by Walker to steal the ball and run the field on a Fargey penalty four attempt, gave Palm Desert the 3.5 point cushion once again, but the Blazers wouldn't go away as Devane and Canelo Sylvestre each scored from the field and the 'half' ended with a score of 7.5 - 6 in favor of Palm Desert.Wulff, with a spectacular 90 yard strike from the far right - the announcer's 'shot of the day' - gave Palm Desert a lead of 2.5 goals halfway through the fourth but that would be it for them as Fargey - now fully recovered from the sting - converted a penalty three and four and scored from the field and the Blazers led for the first time to end the fourth with the score at 9 - 8.5.The final chukker was quiet as Palm Desert was unable to get anything going at all. Sylvestre scored his second of the day and Pat Powell and his Blazers captured the Tony Veen Memorial by a count of 10 - 8.5.Tony Veen 6 Goal Memorial TournamentBlazers (6) - Pat Powell, Kyle Fargey 3, Canelo Sylvestre 2, Jake Devane 1.Palm Desert (5.5) - Dan Horn .5, Leigh Brecheen, Danny Walker 2, Federico Wulff 3.Tony Gregg