Joe Barry Memorial Cup

MetalTek vs. Zacara

01/22/2012, 10:00 am | 4 IPC

MetalTek - 9, Zacara - 8

MetalTek struggled lost its first two games in Joe Barry Memorial Cup play by a total of three goals, but finally registered a victory at the expense of winless Zacara Sunday with a hard-fought 9-8 triumph.

Argentine 9-goaler Sebastian Merlos opened the scoring with a goal in the first chukker followed by a goal from teammate Will Johnston for a 2-0 MetalTek lead.

Carlucho Arellano converted a penalty goal in the second for a 3-0 score before Zacara could respond. Marcos Llambias finally got Zacara on the scoreboard with a penalty goal. At the end of two chukkers, MetalTek held a 3-1 advantage.

Arellano drove the ball through the Zacara goal posts from 120 yards out just two minutes into the third period, and added another just moments later. Llambias converted another penalty shot for a goal to end the first half with MetalTek holding on to a 5-2 lead.

Zacara charged onto the field in the second half with a resolute defense that paralyzed the MetalTek offense. Two goals from Gonzalo Del Tour (one from the field and one on a penalty shot) gave new life to Zacara as they trailed by a single goal, 5-4 after four chukkers.

MetalTek did everything they could to curb the Zacara rally, picking up an opening penalty goal from Arellano in the fifth chukker and a goal from the field from Merlos for a 7-4 lead. Jeff Blake scored for Zacara, but Stevie Orthwein converted a 60-yard penalty shot for MetalTek for a three goal, 8-5 advantage. Del tour closed out the chukker with a penalty goal. MetalTek continued to hold the lead, 8-6.

Orthwein converted another 60-yard penalty shot in the sixth for a 9-6 lead, but a determined Zacara team charged right back.

Consecutive goals from Lyndon Lea and Llambias ended the game with MetalTek riding off with the 9-8 win.

Arellano led the MetalTek attack with four goals. Merlos and Orthwein scored two goals apiece and Johnston added a goal in the win.

Del Tour and Llambias each scored three goals for Zacara. Lea and Blake registered single goals in the loss.