In the opening match of the day, La Hache entered the field with a newfound confidence, fueled by a week of well-deserved celebration and tranquility after clinching their first-ever title in the highly esteemed Triple Crown. Their performance against La Aguada was marked by swift and decisive action, with La Hache leaving little doubt of their command on the field.
The final scoreline was emphatic, signaling not only a win but a message of dominance. This result wasn’t simply a numbers game; it was a testament to a cohesive team effort where every player contributed to a seamless and strategic display of polo. Particularly notable were the performances of Fran Elizalde and Tomás Panelo, both of whom exhibited sharp skills, resilience, and a clear vision on the field, playing pivotal roles in shaping the team’s success.
Despite this seemingly straightforward victory and the stark difference in team valuations—La Hache’s 36 goals to La Aguada’s 29—caution is advisable when interpreting what this result means for La Hache’s future prospects. While this win is an achievement, La Aguada’s current form in 2024 does not represent an ideal benchmark for assessing La Hache’s exact standing or trajectory in the broader context of this intense tournament. The considerable valuation gap between the two teams hints at an expected advantage for La Hache, but it doesn’t necessarily capture the full scope of what they may encounter in the coming rounds.
As La Hache moves forward, the true challenges lie in facing competitors of greater strength and experience, teams that will truly put their mettle to the test. Among these is La Natividad, a formidable opponent that stands as a likely obstacle to La Hache’s path to the final on December 7. With a roster of seasoned players and a track record of success, La Natividad brings both power and tactical prowess, offering a much more demanding challenge that will serve as a genuine measure of La Hache’s potential. For Hilario Ulloa and his team, a clash with La Natividad isn’t just another game—it’s a defining moment that could either confirm their status as serious contenders or expose areas needing growth.
The victory over La Aguada is an important, encouraging step, but it is also just the beginning of a much longer journey. To truly solidify their position as top contenders in this season’s Triple Crown, La Hache will need to prove themselves against the tournament’s elite, where the stakes are higher and the competition only becomes fiercer. As they advance, each match will require precision, strategic play, and resilience under pressure. This victory, while gratifying, will likely pale in comparison to the battles that await in the later stages of the tournament, where the margins are tighter, and the smallest mistakes can change the course of an entire season.
Summary of La Hache’s Victory
La Hache: Pablo Pieres 9, Hilario Ulloa 9, Francisco Elizalde 9, and Tomás Panelo 9. Total: 36.
La Aguada: Facundo Llosa 7, Pedro Zacharias 8, Felipe Vercellino 7, and Pedro Falabella (Jr.) 7. Total: 29.
Score Progression: La Hache led at each stage—3-0, 5-3, 8-4, 10-7, 12-7, 14-9, 17-10, and 20-12.
Goal Scorers for La Hache:
- P. Pieres: 4 goals (2 from penalties)
- H. Ulloa: 1 goal
- F. Elizalde: 8 goals (2 from penalties)
- T. Panelo: 7 goals (1 from a corner)
Goal Scorers for La Aguada:
- F. Llosa: 5 goals (4 from penalties)
- P. Zacharias: 6 goals (4 from penalties)
- P. Falabella: 1 goal
Penalty: Facundo Llosa, at 6:43 of the eighth chukker.
Officials: Referees Matías Baibiene and Martín Pascual.
Umpire: Rafael Silva.
Field: Palermo Field 2.