Monterosso Polo Team Tops the Field After League Play

Mackenzie Weisz v Andrew Blake Thomas

Fifteen teams entered the 2021 Cartier Queen’s Cup, but Monterosso Polo Team remains as the only undefeated team entering the quarterfinals after defeating White Crane 10-6 at Coworth Park. 

The game was won on the defensive end by Monterosso Polo Team, holding White Crane without a goal in five of the six chukkas. Holding the significant advantage in open play, Monterosso Polo Team quickly erased the two-goal difference on handicap and produced a balanced team attack that resulted in field goals from all four players. White Crane struggled to find the mark on 15 shot attempts at goal, converting just three and allowing Monterosso Polo Team to consistently add to their lead. Accurate 4 for 5 penalty shooting from Ignacio Toccalino helped secure Monterosso Polo Team’s fourth victory and the top seed entering the knockout stage. 

Score Table Monterosso vs White Crane

Beginning the game with a 2-0 lead on handicap, White Crane tried to maintain the advantage in the opening minutes, but Monterosso Polo Team’s attack pressured White Crane into a foul in front of goal, leading to a Penalty 2 conversion for Toccalino. A field goal from Stirling quickly followed, leaving the teams on even footing for the rest of the match. Unable to convert from the field or penalty line, White Crane found themselves trailing by two at the end of the second chukka after back-to-back field goals from Toccalino. Before the end of the half, Monterosso Polo Team tried to build on their lead but sent the ball wide on multiple occasions leaving White Crane within reach. Aside from their two goals on handicap, White Crane was held scoreless and were left facing a 5-2 deficit entering the second half. 

With their sights set on maintaining their undefeated record, Monterosso Polo Team raced out of halftime with a quick pace that produced six shots on goal, but only Mackenzie Weisz found the goal. Yet to convert on any of their eight shot attempts, White Crane struggled to keep pace as their scoreless drought carried into the fifth chukka. That abruptly changed when a Penalty 4 conversion from Nico Pieres gave White Crane their first goal and seeing the ball sail through the goal posts seemed to awaken the White Crane offense. Pieres and James Harper combined to add three field goals on perfect shooting to pull within three and provide the team with hope entering the final chukka. In need of another strong chukka, White Crane shot at goal at any opportunity but were left without a goal as a strong defensive performance from Monterosso Polo Team carried them to the 10-6 victory.

Bar Chart Monterosso vs White Crane