Zacara vs. Alegria

03/14/2012, 4:00 pm |

Zacara - 14, Alegria - 11

On a sliding scale, with Miguel Astrada scoring nine times in the first game and Agustin Merlos driving the ball through the opponent’s goal posts ten times in the second game, it should come as no surprise to anyone that Argentine 10-goaler Facundo Pieres would score eleven times in the final match of the day in leading Zacara (3-0) to a 14-11 win over Alegria.

Alegria scored first on a penalty goal from Fred Mannix, but Facundo Pieres responded with a goal from the field for a 1-1 first chukker tie.

Mariano Aguerre put Alegria on top, 2-1 with a penalty conversion in the second chukker, but Zacara roared back. Three unanswered goals from Pieres ended the period with Alegria trailing 4-2.
Four more Zacara goals in the third saw Magoo Laprida and Mike Azzaro (replacing Joaquin Pittaluga) scoring single goals. Pieres added two more goals, with one coming on a penalty shot. Alegria came up with single goals from Julian Mannix and Tomas Garcia del Rio. The first half came to an abrupt halt with Zacara in the lead, 8-4.

The two teams exchanged goals in the fourth with Alegria garnering goals from Julian Mannix and Fred Mannix (penalty). Zacara responded with two more goals from Pieres (one from the field and one on a penalty conversion). Zacara maintained a four goal lead, 10-6.

A refocused Alegria team took control of the game in the fifth chukker as the defense shut out Pieres and his teammates while adding four goals of their own. Julian Mannix scored twice while Fred Mannix and Mariano Aguerre added single penalty goals for a 10-10 tie.

Del Rio converted a 60-yard penalty shot to open the final chukker, but Zacara responded in strength. Three more goals from Pieres and a goal from the field from Laprida closed the door on hapless Alegria as Zacara galloped to a comfortable 14-11 win.

Pieres set the record on the day with eleven goals (four on penalties). Laprida scored twice and Azzaro added a goal.

Julian Mannix led the Alegria attack with four goals. Fred Mannix added three goals (all on penalties).Aguerre and del Rio each scored a pair of penalty shots for goals.

The Thursday matches eliminated Audi (0-3) and La Ensenada (0-3) from the tournament quarterfinals with ERG finishing in first place in their bracket; Zacara in second place; Valiente I in third place and Alegria in fourth place. All four top finishers will advance to the quarterfinals.