Farmers and Merchants Bank Defeats Maserati to Win 2015 USPA Maserati Silver Cup

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - Sept. 9, 2015 - PRLog -- The United States Polo Association (USPA) today announced that Farmers and Merchants Bank (FMB) won the 2015 USPA Maserati Silver Cup, defeating Maserati 13-11 in the championship match at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club.

Maserati started the game with a four-goal advantage by handicap. FMB’s team captain, Dan Walker scored the first goal, and later, Lucas Criado scored the other goal of the opening chukker, as FMB cut Maserati’s lead by two goals, 4-2.

FMB’s Memo Gracida opened the second chukker with a goal, which was followed by a tying goal from Criado, 4-4. Felipe Vercellino gave FMB the lead, 5-4, with his first goal of the day, and a second goal from Gracida later that period gave FMB a 6-4 advantage. In the third chukker, Jesse Bray scored on a penalty conversion, 6-5. FMB countered with a goal and then converted back-to-back penalties, as FMB outscored Maserati 9-5 to close the first half.

Maserati started the second half with a goal from Steve Krueger. FMB’s Vercellino scored the only goal for FMB in the fourth period, which allowed FMB to hold on to a 10-6 lead. FMB’s Gracida scored the opening goal of the fifth period, making it 11-6. However, Maserati answered back with goals from Mike Azzaro and Krueger, 11-8. Vercellino scored FMB’s twelfth goal of the afternoon and Bray scored the final goal of the fifth chukker on a 60-yard penalty conversion, 12-8.

In the final chukker, Maserati opened with back-to-back goals from Bray and Azzaro, cutting the lead to 12-11. FMB, however, was able to maintain their advantage, as Walker added an insurance goal with time running down to win the tournament, 13-11. FMB’s Felipe Vercellino was named Most Valuable Player of the match, and Dan Walker’s horse, Santiago, was named Best Playing Pony.

The USPA Silver Cup has been played since 1974, and showcases some of the best players and horses in the world. The historic tournament has called the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club home for over 20 years. This national USPA tournament is part of Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club’s high-goal season.

About Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club
Founded in 1911, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club is the premiere equestrian Polo club in the Western United States. The club, located between the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, consists of three full size outdoor polo fields, one arena, extensive horse boarding and exercise facilities, as well as stabling for 350 horses. In addition to polo, SBPRC has eight championship hard true tennis courts, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center and beautifully remodeled locker rooms.For more information about the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, please visit www.sbpolo.com

About the United States Polo Association ®
Founded in 1890, the United States Polo Association (USPA) is the national governing body for the sport of polo in North America and is the second oldest sport governing body in the United States preceded only by the United States Tennis Association. With over 270 member clubs and 40 national tournaments, the USPA governs polo handicaps, tournament rules and safety regulations, to ensure the welfare and being of both horse and player. Funded by sales from the officially licensed consumer brand, U.S. Polo Assn., the USPA purposefully re-invests revenue by underwriting numerous development programs to expand and sustain the sport of polo. For more information, please visit www.uspolo.org.