Circa vs. Audi

01/15/2012, 3:00 pm | Piaget Field

Circa - 11, Audi - 10

Nic Roldan led the Audi attack with seven goals, but it was Hilario Ulloa’s fourth goal in sudden-death overtime that secured the win for Circa Sunday afternoon in Joe Barry memorial Cup competition at the International Polo Club in Wellington.

Guille Aguero scored two goals on penalty shots for Circa in the opening chukker, but Audi went up 3-2, picking up goals from Rodrigo Andrade, Nic Roldan (penalty conversion) and team captain Marc Ganzi.

Circa tied it up in and went ahead, 4-3 in the second with Hilario Ulloa and Martin Pepa adding penalty goals on penalty shots, but a closing goal from Roldan left it all even at the end of the chukker, 4-4.

Powerful drives by Brazilian 8-goaler Andrade kept the Audi attack threatening the Circa goal in the third period, but deft defensive play by Circa kept them from scoring from the field. Successive penalty goals from Roldan put Audi back on top, 6-4, but circa s scrambled back with a closing goal from the field from Ulloa. Audi retook the lead, 6-5.

Audi took advantage of circa miscues in the second half, picking up consecutive goals on penalty conversions from Roldan for an 8-6 lead. Pepa kept the game close, however, scoring a gal from the field for Circa to end the chukker trailing Audi by a single goal, 8-7.

Scoring was at a premium in the fifth period, with Audi missing scoring opportunities on three penalty opportunities while Circa made good on a penalty goal from Aguero. After five chukkers of play the score stood all even at 8-8.

Audi seemed to take control of the game again with Roldan converting his sixth penalty shot and Andrade scoring from the field for a 10-8 lead. Halfway through the chukker Aguero broke through the Audi defenses for a score and then weaving his way through the Audi defenses for the tying goal, 10-10, with six seconds left in regulation play. Aguero’s fifth goal of the day forced the game into sudden-death overtime.

After each side had a run at goal, Circa drove the ball deep into Audi territory. Circa pressed the ball in the Audi goal mouth when a foul put Circa at the penalty line. Just three minutes into overtime, Ulloa stoked the ball through the Audi goal for the 11-10 win.

Aguero led the Circa (2-0) team with five goals. Ulloa added four goals to the mix and Martin Pepa scored twice.

“This was a dream come true for me,” said Pepa, following the game. “I never thought that I would be playing in high-goal polo at the International Polo Club,” he beamed, “and now this,” he smiled. “It’s unbelievable!”

Roldan led all scoring with seven goals FOR Audi (1-1). Andrade scored twice and Ganzi added a goal in a losing effort.

Aguero was named MVP for his efforts while Roldan’s Me received Best Playing Pony honors.