Royal Salute C.V. Whitney Cup 2012

ERG vs. Orchard Hill

02/25/2012, 4:00 pm |

ERG - 15, Orchard Hill - 11

A 15-11 ERG win over Orchard Hill closed out the day’s quarterfinals in the C. V. Whitney Cup and set the stage for next Wednesday’s semifinals.

ERG and Orchard fought tooth and nail through the first half of play, deadlocking at 8-8 after the first three chukkers of the game.

Agustin scored on three penalty shots and Sebastian Merlos added two goals from the field as ERG exploded for five first period goals. Orchard Hill responded with a penalty goal from Mariano Gonzalez and a goal from the field from 10-goaler Pablo MacDonough. After the first chukker of the game, ERG led, 5-2.

Paco de Narvaez gave ERG a 6-2 lead with the opening goal of the second period. Lucas Criado got Orchard Hill on the scoreboard with a goal from the field while Gonzalez added another penalty goal. Orchard Hill cut into the lead, but ERG was still in front, 6-4.

Orchard Hill brought a new attitude to the field with them in the third. A pair of goals from Gonzalez and single goals from MacDonough and Criado had the offense clicking. ERG managed single penalty goals from Agustin Merlos and Sebastian Merlos, but the score was all even at 8-8 at the end of the first half.

Sebastian Merlos and de Narvaez scored the only goals of the fourth chukker as a committed defensive effort kept Orchard Hill away from the goalposts. With two chukkers left to play, ERG held on to a 10-8 lead.

Penalties were costly for Orchard Hill in the fifth, with Agustin Merlos converting three penalty shots for goals. Gonzalez managed a single penalty goal for Orchard Hill, but ERG controlled the game and were ahead, 13-9.

Whistles and penalties plagued the final chukker of play with Agustin Merlos adding two more penalty goals to his total. Gonzalez added a single penalty goal to the pot for Orchard Hill and MacDonough scored a goal from the field, but it would be ERG who would leave the field with a 15-11 win.

Agustin Merlos scored a game high nine goals for ERG. Sebastian Merlos added four goals and de Narvaez scored twice in the win.

Gonzalez was credited with six goals for Orchard Hill. MacDonough scored three times and Criado added a pair of goals in a losing effort.

The semifinals of the 2012 C. V. Whitney Cup are scheduled for Wednesday, February 29 and will feature Zacara and Valiente II in a 1 pm contest followed by a 3 pm encounter between Valiente I and ERG.