The final of the 2019 Ylvisaker Cup saw Dutta Corp (Timmy Dutta, Lucas Diaz Alberdi, Gringo Colombres, Kris Kampsen) complete a memorable 20-goal season, defeating Pilot (Curtis Pilot, Matias Gonzalez, Lucas James, Facundo Pieres) 11-7 on the U.S Polo Assn. Field 1 to capture all three opening tournaments at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
During group play, Pilot got the better of Dutta Corp in a 10-8 victory, but the final provided a different story as Dutta Corp deployed an improved strategy to contain the elite play of Facundo Pieres and Lucas James. Dutta Corp’s Kris Kampsen played a deeper defensive position to protect against the long passes from Pieres, while the duo of Gringo Colombres and Lucas Diaz Alberdi relentlessly pressured the ball. The defensive strategy held Pilot to just two field goals on six shots throughout the entire game, a large decrease from their normal offensive output. While, Dutta Corp’s aggressive defense resulted in 15 fouls and eight penalty attempts for Pilot, it also caused numerous turnovers and interceptions that allowed Dutta Corp to dominate open play. The balanced Dutta Corp counter attack saw three players finish with at least three goals to capture the Ylvisaker Cup.
In what was expected to be a fast, high-scoring game, it was a scoreless first chukker that set the table for Dutta Corp to hand Pilot their first loss of the tournament. An improved defense saw Pilot record just one shot and zero field goals through the opening two chukkers, with Kris Kampsen proving to be crucial in the #4 position for Dutta Corp. While, Dutta Corp also failed to score in the opening chukker, they exploded for four goals in the second chukker, thanks to two goals each from Colombres and Kampsen. The ability of Colombres to vary his attack from running with the ball to passing, provided difficulties for the Pilot defense and kept them in the defensive half. Limiting tournament scoring leader Facundo Pieres to just one penalty goal in the first half, Dutta Corp finished the opening three chukkers with a 6-3 lead.
With Pilot looking to fight their way back into the game to begin the second half, they continued to run into a tough Dutta Corp defense. Along with Colombres and Kampsen, Lucas Diaz Alberdi had an exceptional game, swarming Pieres and James at every opportunity. The fourth chukker saw Alberdi add his second goal of the game, along with Timmy Dutta’s first goal to extend Dutta Corp’s lead to four. Held to zero field goals in the second half, Pilot’s only offense came from four penalty goals off the mallet of Pieres and James, while their inability to generate shot opportunities was the story of the game. Pilot pulled within two goals in the final chukker, but a final goal from Alberdi sealed the victory as Dutta Corp finished a sweep of the 20 goal tournaments. Alberdi captured the MVP, while Colombres’ Coquito claimed Best Playing Pony for the third time this season. Play resumes on Wednesday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach with the first day of C.V. Whitney games in the highly anticipated GAUNTLET OF POLO™. Click here to purchase tickets for next Sunday’s feature match.
About the International Polo Club Palm Beach The International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) is the premier polo destination in the world, hosting the largest field of high-goal teams and the most prestigious polo tournaments in the United States. Polo enthusiasts descend upon Wellington, FL each winter season to enjoy their love of the sport at the most prominent polo facility in the country. The 2019 Palm Beach Polo Season opens Sunday, December 30, 2018 and concludes 17 weeks later with the U.S. Open Polo Championship® Final on April 21, 2019. Polo matches are open to the public, with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating that includes elegant grandstand viewing, field tailgating, stadium seating, field-side champagne brunch at The Pavilion, and exclusive sponsor boxes. See more at www.internationalpoloclub.com.
Major reporting contributions for this article were received from the International Polo Club in Wellington FL. Please visit www.internationalpoloclub.com or call (561) 204-5687 for more information on the International Polo Club.
