WELLINGTON — Victory Polo/Eastern Hay knocked off previously undefeated La Dolfina to capture the U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship Feb. 15 at National Polo Center's U.S. Polo Assn Field One.
In front of one of the largest crowds to witness a women's final, Victory Polo/Eastern Hay defeated La Dolfina, 7-5, to win the most prestigious women's polo tournament in North America.
Victory Polo/Eastern Hay also won the Women's Gold Cup 22-Goal Tournament last month, making it the most dominant team of the season.
The winning foursome of Becky Schmeits, Aspen Tinto and 10-goalers Hazel Jackson and Milly Hine took the lead in the third chukker. They led by as much as 5-2 in the fourth chukker against sisters Myla and Mia Cambiaso, playing together in the U.S. Open for the first time, cousin Mora Castagnola and Mica Saracco.
Jackson was named Most Valuable Player after leading her team's offensive attack throughout the game and scoring a game-high four goals. For the first time, Jackson was awarded the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch made specifically for polo.
"It was super tough, so so tough," Jackson said. "We worked so hard. It was an incredible game. I feel so bad because we missed all our chances and my horses gave me everything today and I could not finish the bloody goals.
"The girls worked incredible, Aspen and Becky worked so hard. Milly is the best teammate ever, she was so secure in the back. They let me go forward and do whatever I could up front and put as much pressure on Mia and the rest of them as I could. At least I came through. Thank you to everyone who provided me with the horses. They were incredible. I can't appreciate them enough."
Best Playing Pony honors went to Bancada, played by Hine and owned by top men's player Pipe Vercellino. It was Hine's third consecutive U.S. Open title.
The U.S. Women's Open awarded $25,000 in prize money from U.S. Polo Assn, divided between first ($17,000) and second ($8,000) place teams. Each team also received $2,500 to donate to the polo charity of their choice. La Dolfina chose Polo Players Support Group and Victory Polo/Eastern Hay selected the Polo Training Foundation.
The teams were tied 2-2 after two chukkers before Victory Polo/Eastern Hay took control of the momentum and outscored La Dolfina 2-0 in the third chukker. It was the first time La Dolfina had trailed in a game. La Dolfina was unable to recover as Victory Polo/Eastern Hay continued to dominate La Dolfina in the second half with its pressure defense shutting down its offensive threats.
"We put a lot of pressure on them," Jackson said. "We had to play six chukkers with intensity. Those four girls were incredible, serious talent. They are super young. I'm too old for this."
Mia Cambiaso was oldest player on La Dolfina at 23
La Dolfina was the youngest team in the seven-team tournament. At 23, Mia Cambiaso was the oldest player on the team. Mora Castagnola, 14, was the youngest.
In addition to Jackson's four goals, Hine added three, including a penalty-one. Mia Cambiaso led La Dolfina with two goals in the first half.
In Thursday's semifinals, Victory Polo/Eastern Hay defeated two-time defending champion Buena Vibra (Valentina Tarazona, Sophie Grant, Maite Marre, Summer Kneece), 8-3, and La Dolfina topped Don George (Cecelia Cochran, Meghan Gracida, Kylie Sheehan, Nina Clarkin), 8-2.
In the subsidiary Florida Women’s Open on Feb. 14 at Port Mayaca, Aurora Polo, led by 10-goaler Hope Arellano, defeated Las Brisas, 5–3. Jenna Davis was MVP. Best Playing Pony was Brinkley Erb’s Serafina.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Victory Polo/Eastern Hay wins US Open Women's Polo Championship