The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — Gusting winds of more than 25 miles per hour and 90-degree temperatures are not ideal conditions for polo. But Sunset Pointe played through them for an 11-6 victory over PoloGlen on Sunday in the 8-goal Booster Cup tournament at The Villages Polo Club.

Sunset Pointe improved its record to 2-0 in the tournament that will continue next weekend. PoloGlen dipped to 1-1. Virginia Trace, the third team in the tournment, is 0-2.

Balance proved to be the difference for Sunset Pointe. Each of its four players scored at least one goal. Stuart Campbell led the team with five goals.

After giving up a goal to Murad Ismail of PoloGlen in the first chukker, Sunset Pointe took control with five unanswered goals over the next two chukkers. It built the lead to 7-2 after four chukkers and PoloGlen was never closer than three goals again.

“With the wind it was tough to communicate,” said Andy Moran of Sunset Pointe. “We used signals more than voice.”

Sunset Pointe scored four goals from the penalty lines, while PoloGlen connected only twice on its chances.

“We executed most of our penalty shots,” said Moran. “Those were important today.”

Sunset Pointe played outstanding defense against Murad Ismail and Lord Lyall.

“We made sure they were covered well,” said Moran. “You didn’t see either of them alone very often.”

Sunset Pointe got a strong performance from teenager Trevor Niznik who played the No. 1 position.

“Trevor did a good job taking Murad out of the play on a couple of occasions,” said Moran. “He was a key defensively for us.”

Niznik was instrumental in a play in the third chukker when he rode off Ismail who was trying to catch Campbell on an end-to-end breakaway.

Isabel “Chabello” Briones scored three times, once set up by Moran, and twice with nifty stickwork along the back line. Moran had a pair of goals on undefended penalty shots.

Action at 3 p.m. Friday is a rematch between Sunset Pointe and PoloGlen. At 1 p.m. Sunday, PoloGlen will face Virginia Trace.

Larry Woodward is a freelance writer for the Daily Sun. He may be reached at sports@thevillagesmedia.com.

Summary:

SUNSET POINTE 11, POLOGLEN 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 - Final

Sunset Pointe 0 2 3 2 1 3 - 11

PoloGlen 1 0 0 1 2 2 - 6

Scoring”

Sunset Pointe - Trevor Niznik 1, Andy Moran 2, Isabel Briones 3, Stuart Campbell 5.

PoloGlen - Dr. Craig Fredericks 0, David Manuel 0, Lord Lyall 1, Murad Ismail 5.