Altair scores 1-8 win over Goose Creek/Tonkawa

By Alex Webbe

Carlos Gracida and Santi Torres combined for nine goals as Altair handed Goose Creek/Tonkawa 1 10-8 loss in the first round of play in the 2012 Sawgrass Challenge 12-goal pro-am at the International Polo Club in Wellington Wednesday afternoon.

Gracida scored the only goal in the first chukker of the match as both teams felt one another out for strengths and weaknesses.

Goose Creek/Tonkawa returned to the field in the second chukker regrouped and ready to play, putting up three consecutive goals for a 3-1 lead. Torres and Gracida responded with single goals and a 3-3 tie at the end of the period.

Alejandro Vial scored the opening goal of the third period for a 4-3 lead, but Torres connected on a 60-yard penalty shot and added a goal from the field. Altair left the field at the end of the first half with a narrow 5-4 advantage.

Torres added another goal in the fourth chukker while the Altair defense held Goose Creek/Tonkawa scoreless. The Altair lead had expanded to two goals, 6-4.

Vial got Goose Creek/Tonkawa on the score sheet again in the fifth, but Torres countered with his fifth goal of the game and a 7-5 Altair lead.

The sixth chukker had everyone shooting at goal, as Goose Creek/Tonkawa tried to get back into the game. Goose Creek/Tonkawa picked up single goals from Maureen Brennan, Jeff Hildebrand and Vial, but Altair was up to the challenge. Gracida scored twice and Ashley Van Metre added a goal in the 10-8 win.

Torres led all scoring with five goals. Gracida added four goals and Van Metre scored one goal in the victory.

Vial led the Goose Creek/Tonkawa attack with four goals. Brennan scored twice. Hildebrand and Zegers added single goals in a losing effort.