Flat Out sinks Mt. Brilliant, 9-8

By Alex Webbe

Flat Out (1-2) took control early in the 14-goal Wanderers Classic at the International
Polo Club in Wellington and held on to score a 9-8 win over previously unbeaten Mt.
Brilliant (2-1).

A pair of goals from Flat Out’s Nick Snow in the first chukker went unanswered as Mt.
Brilliant fell behind 2-0 in the early going.

Brandon Phillips converted two penalty shots for scores in the second period as Flat
Out was unable to mount an effective attack. The score was all even at 2-2.

The momentum swung back in Flat Out’s favor again in the third with Steve Krueger
scoring on a goal from the field and a penalty goal while Snow added his third goal of
the game. Shutout defense kept Mt. Brilliant off the scoreboard for the second time in
three chukkers and Flat Out rode out to a 5-2 halftime advantage.

Juan Monteverde scored the opening goal of the second half from the field but was
countered by a penalty conversion from Flat Out’s Krueger. Flat Out continued to lead
by three goals, 6-3.

Mt. Brilliant cut the lead to a single goal, 6-5, after fifth chukker goals from Phillips and
Monteverde. Todd Offen insured the Flat Out lead with his first goal of the game. With
one chukker left to play, Flat Out held a two goal lead, 7-5.

A see-saw scoring battle raged in the final chukker of regulation play. Phillips opened
with a Mt. Brilliant goal from the field that was countered by a goal from Snow for flat
Out. Monteverde replied with a goal for Mt. Brilliant, with Krueger responding for Flat
Out with his fourth goal of the day. Phillips cut the flat Out lead to a single goal, 9-8, but
that was where it ended.

The flat Out defense preserved the 9-8 final and registered its first win of the
tournament, while Mt. Brilliant fell for the first time.

Krueger and Snow led the Flat Out attack with four goals apiece. Offen added a goal
for the win.

Phillips scored five times for Mt. Brilliant. Monteverde added three goals to the total.