Alegria becomes C. V. Whitney finalist
with OT win over Zacara

By Alex Webbe

Zacara 10-goaler Facundo Pieres scored the first goal of the game and ended up with a
game high nine goals on the day, but it was an overtime goal from patron Julian Mannix
that gave Alegria the 17-16 win and the first spot in Sunday’s C. V. Whitney Cup finals.

Following the penalty conversion by Pieres in the first two minutes of play, Mariano
Aguerre responded with a penalty goal and a goal from the field to give Alegria a 2-1
opening chukker advantage.

Mike Azzaro tied it up at 2-2 a minute-and-a-half into the second period, but was
answered by consecutive goals from Alegria’s Julian Mannix, Hilario Ulloa and Aguerre
(penalty conversion). Magoo Laprida closed out the chukker for Zacara with a goal from
the field in the final 48 seconds of play, but they continued to trail, 5-3.

The two teams battled back and forth in the opening minutes of the third. Azzaro cut
the lead to a single goal, 5-4, on a goal from the field in the opening minute of the
chukker. Facundo Obregon converted a penalty shot for a goal a minute later to give
Alegria a two goal lead, 6-4. Laprida added another Zacara goal halfway through the
chukker to trail Alegria by a single goal, 6-5. Three consecutive goals by Alegria (a
penalty goal from Obregon and a pair of goals from the field from Ulloa) ended the first
half with Alegria on top by four goals, 9-5.

Mannix opened the second half with a goal from the field for a five goal lead, 10-5, in
the opening 30 seconds of play. Pieres responded with a 60-yard penalty conversion
must a minute later, 10-6. Pieres took control of the ensuing throw-in and carried it
down the field for another score, and the Alegria lead was pared down to three goals,
10-7. Alegria answered with consecutive goals from Mannix and Obregon for a five
goal lead, 12-7 when Zacara stormed back. Laprida added a goal from the field and
Pieres connected on a penalty shot in the final 20 seconds of the chukker. After four
chukkers of play, Alegria enjoyed a three goal, 12-9 lead.

The parity of the teams was evident once again in the fifth. Zacara got a pair of goals
from Pieres (one from the field and one on a penalty shot) and a single goal from
Laprida, but Alegria was up to the challenge. Aguerre scored twice for Alegria and
Ulloa added a goal. The chukker ended with Alegria maintaining its three goal lead, 15-
12.

Pieres opened the sixth chukker on fire, scoring two goals in less than a minute, and
cutting the Alegria lead to a single goal, 15-14. Obregon scored on a penalty shot, but
Zacara replied in kind with a penalty conversion, 16-14, but a penalty gal from Pieres
and a goal from the field from Laprida had it all even at 16-16 as time expired, forcing a
sudden-death overtime period.

Both teams struggled for control of the ball in the early goings, with Zacara getting the
first opportunity to score, but it would be a drive down the field that would see Mannix
break free and carry it through the Zacara goal for the winning goal, 17-16, less than
three minutes into the chukker.

Pieres led all scoring on the day with nine goals. Laprida added five and Azzaro scored
twice in the loss.

Aguerre led a balanced Alegria attack with five goals. Mannix, Ulloa and Obregon
accounted for four goals apiece for the win.