Heathcote vs. Alegria

02/08/2012, 12:00 pm |

Alegria - 12, Heathcote - 11

In earlier Ylvisaker Cup competition, Alegria fought back to tie the game in the sixth chukker and score a win in overtime over a disappointed Heathcote team that suffered its second overtime loss in as many games.

Alegria took control of the match early, registering three unanswered goals in the opening chukker of play. Julian Mannix converted a penalty shot for a goal followed by a pair of goals from Mariano Aguerre (one from the field and one on a 60-yard penalty shot). After the first chukker of play Alegria held a 3-0 advantage over a struggling Heathcote foursome.

Lucas Monteverde got Heathcote on the scoreboard with the opening goal of the second period, but was answered by goals from Naco Taverna and Mannix. Nick Manifold scored from the field to cut the lead to a manageable three goals when an Alegria penalty put Monteverde at the line with an opportunity to cut a little deeper into the Alegria lead. The short penalty shot went wide, however, and Heathcote trailed by three goals, 5-2.

Manifold scored on a beautifully executed backhander following an attempted Alegria knock-in, but Mannix responded with another goal from the field. Alegria continued to lead, 6-3 the first half completed.

Heathcote got its offense working in the fourth chukker, picking up single goals from Manifold and Monteverde and a pair of penalty goals from Biddle. Alegria got two goals from Mannix, however, ad continued to lead, 8-7.

Mannix and Aguerre each converted a penalty shot for a goal to open the fifth, but Heathcote stormed back into the fray. Goals from team captain Steve Lefkowitz, Biddle and Monteverde locked it up at 10-10 at the end of the fifth chukker.

A renewed energy took the field in the sixth and final chukker of regulation play as both teams fought for control of the ball. With 4:47 left in the chukker, Manifold scored to give Heathcote its first lead of the game, 11-10. With just over a minute to play, Heathcote fouled and Mannix lined up for a nearly automatic short penalty shot for a goal. The shot went wide, however, and with time running out, Heathcote’s Biddle began to bring the ball into play. A miscue by Biddle left the ball in front of the Heathcote goal and Mannix broke through to score a goal and tie it up at 11-11, forcing a sudden-death overtime chukker.

With just 35 seconds gone in overtime, Heathcote fouled an Alegria charge down the field, and Mannix converted the 40-yard shot for the 12-11 win.

Mannix scored eight times for Alegria. Aguerre accounted for three goals and Taverna scored once.

Manifold accounted for four Heathcote goals. Biddle and Monteverde scored three goals apiece and Lefkowitz added a goal in the loss.