Beverly Polo Opens Ylvisaker Cup

Wellington, FL – February 4, 2021 – With a spot in the 2021 Ylvisaker Cup final on the line, Beverly Polo pulled off an emphatic victory Thursday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, defeating Tamera 11-5. The efficient attacking skills of Hilario Figueras, who led the way with six goals, helped secure the convincing victory and compete in their third consecutive final, facing Palm Beach Equine on the Home of the U.S. Polo Assn – Field 1. 

Beverly Polo and Tamera met earlier in the Ylvisaker Cup with Tamera capturing the 14-10 victory, but Wednesday’s semifinal provided a different story as Beverly Polo came out strong and never trailed at any point in the game. Figueras provided a dynamic effort for Beverly Polo, matching his entire number of field goals in the season in one game, coming forward from the #4 position to add five goals in open play. Tamera had difficulties matching Beverly Polo, converting just two of their 11 shot attempts, affecting their chances to mount a comeback. Controlling possession, Beverly Polo’s defense was a significant factor in the game, holding Tamera to just one goal throughout the second half. Joining Figueras on the attack, Tolito Ocampo contributed with four assists to provide a strong duo for Beverly Polo to capture the impressive six-goal victory. 

Hilario Figueras led the way for Beverly Polo with six goals. ©Alex Pacheco

Beverly Polo will face Palm Beach Equine in the championship match-up. ©Alex Pacheco

Wellington, FL – January 26, 2021 – The fourth game of the 2021 Ylvisaker Cup brought all four teams even with a 1-1 record as Tamera defeated Beverly Polo 14-10 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) on Tuesday. The dynamic duo of Diego Cavanagh and Lucas Escobar combined for 11 goals, leading Tamera to the four-goal victory on Field 4.

Losing 10-7 to Palm Beach Equine on Thursday, Tamera entered the game with a difficult task to win against the Joe Barry Memorial finalist Beverly Polo. With Cavanagh and Escobar spearheading the attack, Tamera was dominant much of the game, quickly erasing the two-goal deficit on handicap to lead from the second chukker onwards. Hilario Figueras continued his strong play on the season, shooting a perfect 4 for 4 from the penalty line for Beverly Polo, but it was not enough to overcome being heavily outshot 23-10. Controlling open play, Tamera held Beverly Polo to just 30% shooting, while scoring 12 goals from the field to capture the impressive 14-10 victory.

Tamera claimed the lead in the opening chukker behind Diego Cavanagh’s lightning-quick start, scoring the first three goals of the game to quickly erase Beverly Polo’s lead on handicap. Figueras’ Penalty 2 conversion ended the first chukker, leaving the two teams tied at 3-3. Held to zero field goals, Beverly Polo continued to generate offense from the penalty line, adding two penalty conversions, but it did not slow Tamera’s Cavanagh, who added another goal while assisting on both of Luis Escobar’s goals to give their team the 6-5 lead. Having found their stride from the field, Tamera carried their momentum into the end of the half, receiving goals from Alejandro Poma and Lucas Escobar to put all four players on the scoresheet and give Tamera the 8-6 advantage at halftime.

The dynamic duo of Diego Cavanagh and Lucas Escobar combined for 11 goals. ©Alex Pacheco

Led by their defense, Tamera entered the second half keeping Beverly Polo off the scoreboard, holding them to zero attempts at goal in the fourth chukker. Pinning Beverly Polo in their own half, Tamera pushed forward, resulting in Lucas Escobar scoring back-to-back goals and extending their lead to four. Desperate to close the gap, Beverly Polo fought hard in an intense fifth chukker that saw both teams add three goals, but the duo of Cavanagh and Lucas Escobar proved to be a significant factor in the outcome. With the four-goal advantage, Tamera maintained their lead, conceding a safety to Tolito Ocampo and completing the impressive 14-10 victory.

Tamera defeated Beverly Polo 14-10 in Tuesday’s match at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. ©Alex Pacheco

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.

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Wellington, FL – January 20, 2021 – The 18-goal Ylvisaker Cup, played annually as a tribute to William T. “Bill” Ylvisaker, kicked off Sunday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), with Beverly Polo winning the season opener on Field 4. Hilario Figueras led the way with six goals to help Beverly Polo survive a last-minute push from Aspen and secure the 11-10 victory.

Finding themselves in another one-goal game, their fourth in five games to start the season, Beverly Polo took advantage of their two goals on handicap to narrowly edge Aspen. Penalty shooting proved to be a factor with Figueras shooting a perfect 4 for 4 from the penalty line, while also working effectively in open play to convert both chances from the field. In their first game of the 2021 season, Aspen was led by Keko Magrini, fresh off his Most Valuable Player award and Joe Barry Memorial title with Santa Clara. Scoring five goals, Magrini produced a strong performance at the front of the game, leading a late charge into the final minute, but Beverly Polo managed to hold strong with time ticking, preventing Aspen from scoring the tying goal to claim the one-goal victory. 

In the early stages of the game, Aspen found themselves in foul trouble committing two fouls that resulted in penalty goals for Figueras. Despite responding with two goals of their own, Aspen trailed 4-2 lead with Beverly Polo maintaining their two-goal advantage on handicap. Converting just one of their final six shots of the first half, Aspen was unable to keep pace with Beverly Polo, who received one goal each from Hilario Figueras and Tolito Ocampo to extend their lead to three. Figueras continued his penalty shooting into the end of the half, adding another penalty goal and field goal to give Beverly Polo the 8-4 lead at halftime.

Beverly Polo‘s Hilario Figueras fends off the Aspen defense. ©Alex Pacheco

Entering the second half, Beverly Polo utilized an effective team performance on both sides of the ball, with their organized defense keeping Aspen from producing any runs to goal and maintaining the four-goal advantage. Aspen completely overturned the game in a dominant fifth chukker, keeping Beverly Polo pinned in their own half. Magrini’s second goal of the chukker, a Penalty 1 ignited a stretch of three unanswered goals for Aspen, seeing three different players score, including one each from Lucas James and Stewart Armstrong to pull within one. Figueras capped off a strong performance with his fifth goal for Beverly Polo, leaving them ahead with time running out. As the clock ticked down into the final seconds, Aspen charged toward goal, but Magrini was unable to convert on the final play, leaving Beverly Polo to claim the hard-fought 11-10 victory.

Beverly Polo will play against Tamera on Thursday at 3:00 pm, while Aspen will meet Palm Beach Equine in the feature match of the week on Sunday.

Beverly Polo‘s Hilario Figueras scored the most points from any single player with six goals. ©Alex Pacheco

Click here to view the full 2021 High Goal Polo Schedule.
Click here to learn more about the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Click here to learn more about the GAUNTLET OF POLO®.