Brits Wiseman and Jackson Play Alongside Internationals Names
The fifth edition of the US Open Women’s Polo Championships are well underway at Houston Polo Club in Texas, where the tournament has been played since its inception in 2011. Sarah Wiseman’s team, Northern Trust, has had the first success in the opening game as they defeated BTA in extra time with a final score of 7-6. The game was almost a replica of the team’s last encounter in the Final of the 2014 tournament when Northern Trust defeated BTA 5-4. The match, by all accounts, was close throughout with the first chukka ending 2-2, the second 4-3, the third 5-4 to Northern Trust, before both teams traded goals to go into extra time on 6-6, where Julia Smith broke the deadlock, scoring a fantastic winning goal.
The second game of the day was between Rockin’ P/Plank Companies and Lockton. Leading British lady player Hazel Jackson had a great start to the tournament, defeating Lockton with a final score of 9-1. Jackson came out of the first line-out with a drive to score and score she did, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Her French teammate, Caroline Anier, added another point swiftly after setting Lockton on the back foot. The game continued in the same vein with the only goal for Lockton coming from 5 goaler Marissa Wells.
In today’s games, BTA will take on Lockton and Northern Trust will play Rockin’ P/Plank Companies.
The Finals will take place on Sunday 15 November when Maureen Brennan, who holds the record for winning three of the four championships played to date, will potentially have the opportunity to take a fourth title, alongside England’s Sarah Wiseman and teammates Julia Smith, member of Team USPA and the Women’s National Intercollegiate Champion, and Kristy Outhier, who won the tournament with Brennan in 2011 and 2013.
Click here for the full list of teams and scores.
U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship teams:
Northern Trust (25): Sarah Wiseman (7), Julia Smith (4), Maureen Brennan (6) & Kristy Outhier (8)
BTA (23): Tiamo Hudspeth (4), KC Krueger (6), Sheila Lequerica (5) & Lia Salvo (8)
Rockin’ P/Plank Companies (24): Courtney Price (2)/Kendall Plank (2), Hazel Jackson (8), Dayelle Fargey (7) & Caroline Anier (7)
Lockton (22): Marissa Wells (5): Carolyn Stimmel (5), Jolie Liston (6) & Erica Gandomcar-Sachs (6)
Photograph: Argentina’s Lia Salvo taking an under-the-neck shot. Courtesy of The USPA
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