L.I.N.Y.’S YOUNG GUNS BRING THE HEAT FOR FIRST NETJETS PACIFIC COAST OPEN TITLE
The apex of the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club (Carpinteria, California) high-goal season, L.I.N.Y.(Santino Magrini*, Paquito de Narvaez, Kristos “Keko” Magrini*, Poroto Cambiaso) and Farmers &Merchants Bank (FMB) (Danny Walker, Lucas Criado, FacundoObregon, Peke Gonzalez*) battled it outto be crowned the 2022 NetJets Pacific Coast Open champions. Assembling in front of a sold-outstadium, early energy provided L.I.N.Y. with a lead they would not relinquish, as a three-goal fourthchukker and last-minute drive from Poroto Cambiaso saw L.I.N.Y. withstand FMB’s late charge to claim the iconic five foot trophy 12-11.
Showcasing top-tier talent throughout the tournament, a five-way shootout was required to determinethe semifinalists. L.I.N.Y. sailed passed BenSoleimani.com (Ben Soleimani, Lucas “Luckitas” Criado Jr.,Iñaki Laprida, Jeff Hall) 13-7 in a redemptive rematch of the Farmers & Merchants Bank Silver Cup, astwo-time Pacific Coast champions (2017, 2019) FMB handled Klentner Ranch 14-6 (Jake Klentner*,Santiago Toccalino, Jesse Bray*, Justin Klentner) to book their ticket into the final.
With the oldest team member aged 21, accompanied by three teenagers, L.I.N.Y. showcased their signature style of physical, high-powered polo to kick-off the contest. Applying pressure early, KekoMagrini and Cambiaso combined for three goals in the opening chukker to knock FMB on their heels with a 3-1 advantage.
Exemplifying teamwork by utilizing short passes between Cambiaso and Keko Magrini, the youngestMagrini playfully reflected on the addition of Cambiaso on the roster. “When I was playing with my dad[Matias Magrini], I had more control of the ball, but now why would I want to control the ball when Ihave Poroto!” Keko laughed. Enthralled for the opportunity to join L.I.N.Y. in the second game of the Pacific Coast Open, Cambiaso shared, “I’ve played with Keko in the United States, with Santino also—he’s a boss, and Paquito also—we are all around the same age, so we get along really well.
Exchanging penalty goals in the second, L.I.N.Y. narrowly outscored FMB with two conversions from Cambiaso. Meanwhile Gonzalez, the tournament leading penalty shooter with eighteen goals, easily hit his Penalty 2 to keep FMB within three. Finishing off a play from his older brother Santino, Keko drove to goal to open the third. Back-to-back goals from FMB saw Obregon scoring his team’s first field goal since the opening chukker. Following a Safety attempt from Cambiaso, FMB had one last chance to make a play before the break. A brilliant steal from Cambiaso allowed Gonzalez to escort the ball across the line ,however L.I.N.Y. ultimately walked off with the lead 10-6 at the break.
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United States Polo Association | U.S. POLO ASSN. (uspolo.org)
