MetalTek hands Heathcote an 11-9 loss in George Haas Semifinal
By Alex Webbe

Thirty penalties were meted out Sunday morning in the semifinals of the George Haas Cup (the subsidiary of the Ylvisaker Cup) at the International Polo Club in Wellington as MetalTek held on for an 11-9 win over a persistent Heathcote team to earn a berth in the finals.

Argentine 9-goaler Sebastian Merlos opened the scoring for MetalTek with a goal from the field followed by a pair of goals from teammate Carlucho Arellano (one from the field and one on a penalty conversion).  Heathcote’s Tommy Biddle converted a 40-yard penalty shot, but trailed 3-1.

Second chukker action saw Arellano add two more goals to the growing MetalTek total with Merlos adding a penalty goal for a 6-2 lead.  Biddle scored the lone Heathcote goal on another penalty shot.

Heathcote coordinate its attack in the opening minutes of the third with Lucas Monteverde and Nick Manifold each scoring a goal from the field while Biddle added a 60-yard penalty conversion. Arellano responded with a penalty goal of his own and Merlos scored his third goal of the day for an 8-5 halftime lead.

The pace became more measured in the second half with scoring limited to single penalty goals from Heathcote’s Biddle and MetalTek’s Arellano.  MetalTek continued to lead, 9-6.

Another 60-yard penalty conversion from Biddle was all the offense Heathcote could muster in the fifth.  Will Johnston scored MetalTek’s sole goal of the period from the field.  The three goal MetalTek lead held at 10-7 after five chukkers.

MetalTek received its final goal of the day on a shot from the field from Merlos.  Heathcote picked up two more penalty goals from Biddle, but it was MetalTek who would take the day with the 11-9 win.

Heathcote’s Biddle led all scoring with seven goals.  Monteverde and Manifold scored single goals in the loss.

Arellano set the pace for MetalTek with six goals.  Merlos added four goals to the mix and Johnston scored once.

Obregon set the pace for Faraway with five goals.  Valerdi scored three times; Goodman added two goals and Daniels scored once.

MT. BRILLIANT 11, VILLA DEL LAGO 8

Undefeated Mt. Brilliant (3-0) took control early and never let go as it rang up an 11-8 win over Vila Del Lago (0-3) Sunday afternoon in Freebooters Classic play.

A cautious start had the score all even at 1-1 after the first chukker of play with Matias Obregon opening the scoring for Villa Del Lago and Brandon Phillips responding with a goal for Mt. Brilliant.

A four goal second period buried Villa Del Lago with Phillips adding two more goals and Bo Goodman and Juan Monteverde scoring single goals for a 5-2 advantage.  Villa Del Lago was held to a single score from Matias Obregon on a 40-yard penalty conversion.

Single goals from Phillips and Monteverde in the third were answered by three Villa Del Lago scores.  Jared Zenni scored his first goal of the game followed by goals from Matias Obregon and Marianito Obregon.  The first half ended with Mt. Brilliant riding a 7-5 lead over Villa Del Lago.

There were only two goals scored in fourth chukker action with Phillips converting a 60-yard penalty shot for a goal and Marianito Obregon scoring a goal from the field.  Mt. Brilliant maintained their two goal lead, 8-6.

Tommy Collingwood and Phillips scored single unanswered goals in the fifth chukker while Villa Del Lago struggled to find its offensive push.  The chukker ended with Mt. Brilliant extending their lead to four goals, 10-6.

Villa Del Lago added two more penalty goals in the sixth from Matias Obregon, but it was Mt. Brilliant prevailing 11-8.  Phillips scored the final goal on a penalty shot.

Phillips let the Mt. Brilliant team with seven goals.  Monteverde scored twice and Goodman and Collingwood added single goals.

Matias Obregon scored a team high five goals for Villa Del Lago.  Marianito Obregon added two goals and Jared Zenni scored one goal in the loss.