Lucchese takes Ylvisaker Cup - by YA Teitelbaum

Pancho Bensadon scored six goals to lead Lucchese to its first high-goal title in Florida, a 12-9 triumphover the Hawks in the Ylvisaker Cup final Sunday at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Bensadon said the game plan was simple. “Hit the ball and run…and score more goals than them,” said Bensadon, who was selected as the game’s MVP.

There were four ties, the last at 7-7 when Mariano Aguerre of the Hawks dribbled through traffic while converting a short forehand 32 seconds into the fifth chukker. Lucchese rallied to take a two-goal lead, 10-8, at the end of fifth.

The Hawks cut the margin to 10-9 on a 40-yard penalty shot by Fred Mannix Jr. with 4:52 remaining but that was as close as they got.

Bensadon made 11-9 with 3:41 left and then Lucchese’s defense took over as Escobar and Bensadon made key defensive stops in the final two minutes. A clearing shot by Bensadon to Andres Weisz resulted in a breakaway goal with 52 seconds remaining to clinch the win.

“Today was a real test,” said 7-goaler Luis Escobar of Lucchese, who finished with three goals. “We had played them before but we had both already qualified. We were under pressure in this game.”

Mannix Jr. led the Hawks (4-2) with five goals while Aguerre added three goals and Cachi Garcia-Velez of Wellington scored two goals.

This was the second consecutive final for the Hawks, who lost a 13-11 decision to Zacara in the Joe Barry Memorial Cup on January 31.