Las Monjitas win USPA Gold Cup

By Alex Webbe

Javier Novillo Astrada scored six goals to lead Las Monjitas to a 12-7 win over Skeeterville in the finals of the USPA Piaget Gold Cup at the International Polo Club in Wellington late Wednesday afternoon in a game that wasn’t as close as the score might indicate.

Camilo Bautista and the three Novillo Astrada brothers were convinced that they could curb the dangerous attack of the Skeeterville team, and did a great job from the onset.

Skeeterville received one goal by handicap, but quickly found itself behind 2-1 after goals from Javier Novillo Astrada and his brother Eduardo Novillo Astrada in the first chukker.

After missing an early penalty shot, Skeeterville’s usually bankable Julio Arellano scored a goal from the field. Javier Novillo Astrada converted his second penalty goal of the chukker, however, and Las Monjitas left the field with a 3-2 lead.

The pace picked up in the second chukker but a blanket-like defense smothered the Skeeterville attack. Eduardo and Javier Novillo Astrada each scored a goal to increase the Las Monjitas lead to 5-2.

Skeeterville found some life in the third period with Julio Arellano scoring on a penalty shot and Will Johnston intercepting a pass and scoring from the field. Penalties proved to be their undoing, however, with both Javier and Nacho Novillo Astrada converting penalty shots. Las Monjitas held a 7-4 lead at the half.

Both teams had the opportunity to adjust their game plans at halftime, but it was Las Monjitas that seemed to have made the improvements. Two fourth chukker goals from Javier Novillo Astrada and a single goal from brother Nacho Astrada were countered by a single goal from Arellano, and the fourth chukker ended with Las Monjitas commanding a 10-5 advantage.

Las Monjitas was held to a single penalty goal in the fifth, but its overpowering defense shutout Skeeterville for the second time to take an 11-5 lead into the final chukker of play.

“I thought we played very well defensively,” said Javier Novillo Astrada, in what can only be construed as an understatement. The Novillo Astrada brothers were all over the Skeeterville players every time they got near the ball, and although Camilo Bautista didn’t register in the scoring column for Las Monjitas, he played excellent defense and was invaluable in opening up holes for his teammates.

Adam Snow and Julio Arellano managed to convert single penalty shots for Skeeterville, but Eduardo Novillo Astrada’s third goal of the game was more than Las Monjitas needed as it rode off with the 12-7 Piaget Gold Cup win. “This is a very sweet victory,” said Las Monjitas team captain Camilo Bautista following the match. “This is the only cup we haven’t won.” Las Monjitas beat White Birch to win the U. S. Open in 2003.

Javier Novillo Astrada led all scoring with seven goals on the day. Eduardo Novillo Astrada scored twice and Nacho Novillo Astrada added two goals for the win.
Julio Arellano led the Skeeterville attack with four goals. Will Johnston and Adam Snow added single goals, and the team received one goal by handicap.
Eduardo Novillo Astrada was named MVP while Owen Rinehart’s Raptor received Best Playing Pony honors. White Birch’s Califa was named tournament Best Playing Pony.