Polo
Michelob Ultra Polo Team Drops 9-5 Decision to Catena USA in WCT Final
By Baird Thompson
Apr 17, 2008, 12:51

Catena USA jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never trailed en route to a 9-5 victory over Michelob Ultra Polo in the third annual Women’s Championship Tournament (WCT) at the San Saba Polo Club on Saturday.

Sunny Hale scored a game-high six goals, five on penalty conversions, to lead Catena USA and was named the MVP.

“They did surprise us by taking the lead so early on, but we always expected them to come out fighting,” said Michelob Ultra Polo 3-goaler Nina Vestey Clarkin of England. “I don't feel that we did anything particularly wrong in that chukker, we just couldn't convert our chances on goal.”

Tiffany Busch of Michelob Ultra Polo agreed with Clarkin.

“By them jumping ahead by three goals did not get our team too rattled,” said Busch, a 0-goaler and the youngest player in the final. “I had missed a penalty 3 in the first chukker and a lot of their goals came from our fouls, which Sunny did not miss.We just needed to calm down and play our game. We just needed to be more disciplined in taking the man. They did a great job marking us.”

Michelob Ultra Polo cut the margin to 3-2 and 4-3 but never could get the tying goal.

Despite the loss, both Clarkin and Busch were thrilled about the tournament.

“This event is always fun to play in,” said Busch. “It is a nice tournament with great competition. Sunny has done great things for women's polo and by having events such as the WCT, women's polo is only going to grow. It is exciting for me to be able to not only play against Sunny, a 3-goal woman player, but also to be able to play with a 3-goal player, Nina Clarkin, in the finals.”

Clarkin led Michelob Ultra Polo with three goals while Busch and Sherri Lynn Hensman added one goal apiece. Theresa King played sterling defense but did not score.

Clarissa Eschezzerata scored two goals for Catena USA while Dawn Jones added one goal for the winners.

In the semifinals, Michelob Ultra Polo defeated Lolo Wahines 9-3 behind five goals from Tiffany Busch and four goals by Sherri Lynn Hensman. Catena USA, with five goals each from Dawn Jones and Clarissa Eschezzerata, bested LB Sogas 13-5 in the other semifinal.

Michelob Ultra Polo is sponsored by Adolphus A. Busch IV, a long-time supporter of women’s and men’s polo in the United States.

“Michelob Ultra Polo is proud to support women’s polo and the WCT,” said Adolphus Busch, a former high-goal patron. “The team accomplished a lot in this event and I look forward to them competing again for the championship in the premier women’s tournament in the United States.”

Other Michelob Ultra corporate sponsors include Silver Eagle Distributors of Houston, Texas and Anheuser Busch, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri.

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