Dubai and Orchard Hill advance to U.S. Open Final

Press Release United States Polo Association® –
WELLINGTON, Fla. – April 21, 2016 – Dubai and Orchard Hill advance to the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final after winning their semifinal matches April 20 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC). Orchard Hill defeated White Birch 9-8 in overtime, and Dubai defeated Audi 13-11.

Orchard Hill played their way into the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final for the second consecutive year, taking White Birch 9-8 after four grueling minutes of overtime play. The game was a seven chukker roller coaster ride, with Orchard Hill owning the first half and White Birch springing from a four-goal deficit to tie the game at 6 in the fourth chukker. From that point on it was anyone’s game until Facundo Pieres seized the win for Orchard Hill on a penalty 2 in overtime.

Goal by Orchard Hill’s Facundo Pieres. ©United States Polo Association® Vimeo

At the start, Hilario Ulloa wasted no time claiming the turf for White Birch with two consecutive goals in the first two minutes of play. Orchard Hill promptly seized control when Juan Martin Nero crushed the ball 95 yards, putting Orchard Hill on the board. With 0:25 left in the first chukker, Pieres tied the game at 2. In the second chukker, Orchard Hill made four consecutive goals while keeping White Birch scoreless. Orchard Hill sat with a comfortable 6-2 lead at the end of the first half.

White Birch turned the second half into an entirely different game. Ulloa scored the only goals in the third and fourth chukkers. He propelled White Birch from a four goal deficit, scoring three from the penalty line and one from the field, to tie the game at 6. In the fifth chukker, Mariano Aguerre contributed to the scoreboard for White Birch and sent them to a short-lived lead. A minute later, Pieres scored on a penalty 2 to retie the game. Close to six excruciating minutes passed in the sixth chukker before Ulloa broke the tie, scoring his seventh goal to bring the score to 8-7 for White Birch. Julian Lusarreta came through with a stunning pass to Pieres, who sent it through the posts with just seconds left in regulation play to push the game into overtime.

The seventh chukker was marked by lightning-fast runs and missed attempts, keeping the overflow crowd on the edge of their seats. A blocking foul was called on White Birch and a yellow card was issued to Ulloa, resulting in a penalty 2 in favor of Orchard Hill. Pieres eased the ball through the posts to end the game at 9-8.

“We were playing really well in the first half, and the second half we were sleeping,” said Pieres. “We were beating them in every part of the field. Then in the second half we were a different team and they were too. We were pretty close to losing, but we were a bit lucky the last two minutes when we tied the game.”

Calling it a “tough game,” Orchard Hill’s Steve Van Andel said, “White Birch has been around for a long time, and they are always good. It was anybody’s game until the end. Our plan was to just be patient and wait for chances, and we did.”

Source: Press Release United States Polo Association®