Great Oaks LL Produce Dominant Stretch to Reach Semifinals
The first quarterfinal of the 2021 Gold Cup for the British Open Championship featured an impressive performance from Great Oaks LL, producing a stretch of 11 consecutive goals to defeat Murus Sanctus 14-7, booking the first spot in the semifinals at Cowdray Park Polo Club.
An evenly matched opening two chukkas left spectators expecting a match that would be decided in the final minutes, but Great Oaks LL took control of the game with an unrelenting attack that was led by Guillermo Terrera. Finishing with four goals and three assists, Terrera highlighted the quick offense that helped dominate possession, while Bartolome Castagnola and Cruz Heguy effectively stifled any possession from Murus Sanctus. In a complete team performance where all four players scored at least two goals, Great Oaks LL completed the dominant 14-7 victory on the Ambersham Grounds.
A defensive start to the match left both teams tightly marked and few chances on goal until a long pass from Facundo Sola set up Corinne Ricard to open the scoring. A Penalty 2 conversion for Heguy brought the game even as the score moved in and out of a tie through the second chukka. Murus Sanctus took the first lead at the end of a chukka with accurate shooting leading to back-to-back goals from Sola and Matt Perry and a 4-3 advantage. That would be the last goal Murus Sanctus would score until the sixth chukkas Great Oaks LL took complete control of the match. Continuous pressure from the Great Oaks LL offense resulted in two Penalty 1’s awarded to Terrera, along with a field goal from Heguy as part of a three-goal run, leaving Great Oaks LL ahead 6-4 at halftime.
Carrying their momentum into the second half, Great Oaks LL maintained possession throughout the fourth chukka, holding Murus Sanctus without a shot attempt and using the pass effectively to create scoring opportunities. Great Oaks LL converted four of their six attempts on goal to extend their goal streak to seven, resulting in a 10-4 lead. Displaying a well-rounded attack, Great Oaks LL received contributions from Terrera, Heguy and Dillon Bacon as the possession remained with Great Oaks LL and Murus Sanctus’ scoring drought carried over for the third consecutive chukka. Holding a nine-goal lead entering the sixth chukka, Great Oaks LL had the victory secured and cruised to the 14-7 victory to claim the first place in the semifinals.