Newport takes 2011 US Trust Cup

By Alex Webbe

A reshuffled Newport/Flat Out lineup spotted Elangeni Ranch three goals by handicap
Sunday morning at the Grand Champions Polo Club but bounced back to score a 9-8
win and take home the 2011 US Trust Cup in the club’s season-ending contest.

After a scoreless first chukker, Elangeni Ranch 4-goaler Diego Cossio scored the first
goal from the field for a 4-0 lead. Newport remained scoreless for the second straight
period.

Juan Bollini scored a pair of goals in the third (one from the field and one on a penalty
conversion). Nic Roldan scored on a penalty shot for Newport, but the first half ended
with Elangeni Ranch boasting a commanding 6-1 advantage.

Cossio and team captain Brian Street scored single goals to open the second half,
putting Elangeni Ranch out in front of an 8-1 lead before Newport responded. Roldan
chipped away at the lead by converting a couple of penalty shots, but Elangeni Ranch
continued to lead by an impressive five goals, 8-3 at the end of four chukkers.

Shutout defense by Newport was coupled with three consecutive goals by Newport.
Team captain Gene Goldstein and Natascha Baecher scored single goals from the field
while Roldan converted his fourth penalty shot of the match. Elangeni Ranch continued
to lead, but the margin had been cut to two goals, 8-6.

Newport continued to press its attack in the sixth. Roldan opened the chukker with
another penalty conversion for a goal, and Baecher and Brandon Phillips scored single
goals to carry Newport into the winners circle on the strength of an impressive 9-8
come-from-behind win.

Roldan led the Newport scoring with five penalty goals. Baecher scored twice and
Phillips and Goldstein added single goals.

Bollini and Cossio scored two goals apiece for Elangeni Ranch. Street added a goal
and the team received three goals by handicap.

Bollini was named MVP for his efforts in a losing cause while Halo Polo’s Miss Rock-n-
Roll, played by Roldan, took Best Playing Pony honors.