Following a four-way shootout between the four teams holding 1-1 records in the Joe Barry Memorial, Beverly Polo and Patagones emerged on top to reach the much-anticipated final on Sunday. Not yet competing against each other this season, 2021 Ylvisaker Cup champions Beverly Polo and 2020 champions Patagones will both look to add their names to the other prestigious 18-goal trophy at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Through two games of play, Patagones have been able to effectively receive fouls, leading to 11 penalty conversions for their leading scorer Tomas Garcia del Rio. While his accurate 85% penalty shooting has been crucial to Patagones’ success, his play alongside Santiago Wulff has created a dynamic duo in open play. Working tirelessly off the ball, young brothers Benjamin and Joaquin Avendano efficiently create space for Garcia del Rio and Wulff, allowing them to direct play and collect three assists each through two games. Wulff leads the team with four goals from the field, yet all four players have taken advantage of their opportunities around goal to add their name to the scoresheets.
Coming off their first win of the 2022 Florida season in the Iglehart Cup, Beverly Polo looks to capture their second consecutive title by continuing to facilitate plays around team Captain Jorge “Tolito” Fernandez Ocampo Jr. Currently leading the tournament with 14 goals, Ocampo Jr.’s elite ability to generate positive momentum in the field is matched with his strength from the penalty line. Of Ocampo’s 14 goals, 10 have been generated from the penalty line for a consistent source of offense. An active receiver downfield with an innate ability to fight through traffic, 6-goaler Lucas Diaz Alberdi has produced a successful showing in the tournament, adding six field goals to rank third among all players. Defending effectively in the #4 position, Hilario Figueras is coming off a two-goal performance in their victory against CK Shack, finding the right moment to drive forward, with Bill Ballhaus also adding a field goal on route to Beverly Polo’s place in the final.
In their two games, both Beverly Polo and Patagones have excelled at avoiding foul trouble, committing just 7.0 fouls per game each, averaging five fouls less than the next closest team. The result has been their ability to win the battle from the penalty line where nearly half their goals have been produced, while keeping their opponents off the penalty line. Clashing on Sunday, January 16 at 3:00pm ET, the Joe Barry Memorial may be decided in open play, with a fast-paced game expected for the spectators on the Home of the U.S. Polo Assn. Field 1.
Photo Credit: Alex Pacheco