Newport vs Yale

YALE UPSTAGES NEWPORT

Yale University Polo Club of New Haven, CT, defeated Newport 15-13 on Saturday, July 21^st with a strategic second-half comeback in the Newport International Polo Series.

Starting with a 5-goal handicap and ample opportunity to warm up during a delay of game, Newport easily maintained the lead throughout the first half against their heavily favored opponent. Playing in the #3 position, Newport captain Dan Keating led the charge by scoring in the first and third chukkas and again in the fifth and sixth. Gene Goldstein gave Yale good chase with a pair of goals in the first chukka and singles in the second and third chukkas from the pivotal #2 position. Dave Bullis helped fight off the waking giant with a goal in the fourth chukka. Jim Zinsky and EZ Baker alternated in the #1 position.

Yale’s captain, Jim D’Angelous in the #3 position, turned his team around in the second half with pairs of goals in the fifth and sixth chukkas. Defenseman Andrew Flint in the #4 position kept his team alive early on with goals in the second and third chukkas and added punch to the triumph with two big goals in the final chukka. Chip Steigler in the #2 position, scored twice in the second chukka and once in third. In the #1 position, Jerry Kagan scored a lone goal in the fourth chukka. Substituting in the #1 position, Eileen Bartolini, contributed to the victory with two goals in the fifth chukka.

The Yale team had galvanized their mettle earlier that day in a front-wheel blow out on the road from Connecticut, causing a 1 1/2 hour delay in the match. The first chukka of play spun a web of deception as Newport scored three unanswered goals, ending play with an 8-0 lead. Yale thrashed away at the deficit in the second chukka with three goals and one contested handicap point, while Newport added another point, to keep their lead 9-3. Yale was quieted in the third chukka by two Newport goals against their one, ending the first half 11-4 in Newport’s favor. Yale reversed the trend in the fourth chukka with two goals to Newport’s one, closing the gap 12-6. In the explosive fifth chukka, Yale scored four times and held Newport again to a single goal, bringing victory within reach, 13-10. Yale’s momentum was unstoppable in the final chukka as they took the lead, scoring five goals to Newport’s one, winning the match 15-13.

The Newport International Polo Series resumes at 5:00 p.m. next Saturday, July 29, at historic Glen Farm in Portsmouth with the ninth annual dual between Newport USA and Ireland. For more information, call 847-7090.