Pilot won the USPA Gold Cup, the second leg of the Gauntlet of Polo, following the final that was played at International Polo Club Palm Beach on Sunday March 27. In order to earn their first title in three years, Pilot defeated Park Place, the recent winners of the CV Whitney Cup by a 11-10 score, with Facundo Pieres producing the winning goal in extra chukka. This is the second title within the Gauntlet of Polo for Curtis Pilot’s foursome.
Pilot, who received one goal on handicap, were very accurate in their attack, which led them to end the first half with a two goal advantage. But Park Place were not that easy to dominate – they made remarkable comebacks thoroghout the whole season and this final wouldn’t be the exception. They outscored Pilot 3-1 in the fourth chukka to tie at 9-all, and both teams fought hard in the fifth chukka to gain another tie; a scoreless sixth period followed, which meant that the match would go into an extra chukka.
As happened in the league stage of the CV Whitney Cup, it was Facundo Pieres who sealed the deal by producing the winning goal to secure Pilot their first big title in the US after three years.
The summary of the final:
FINAL USPA GOLD CUP: PILOT 11-10 PARK PLACE
PILOT: Curtis Pilot 0, Mackenzie Weisz 5, Matias Torres Zavaleta 7, Facundo Pieres 10 (10 goals). Total: 22.
PARK PLACE: Josh Hyde 0 (1 goal), Juan Britos 9 (6), Hilario Ulloa 10 (3), Cody Ellis 3. Total: 23.
Progresión Park Place: (1-0) 3-1, 5-3, 8-6, 9-9, 10-10, 10-10, 11-10.
MVP: Facundo Pieres.BPP: Open Azarenka. Player: Facundo Pieres.
BPP presented by the Argentine Polo Pony Breeders Assn.: Open Azarenka. Player: Facundo Pieres.
Action for the Gauntlet of Polo will continue on Tuesday March 29, with the US Open Polo Championship, that will see 20 teams up to 22 goals, in participation. The finals are set to be played on Sunday April 24.