INDIO If Klentner Ranch carried a mantra in Sunday’s drubbing of Antelope Windsor at Eldorado Polo Club, it might have gone something like this: Position. Pass. Charge.
And for most of the six-chukker match, inside men Tim Rudy and Mariano Gutierrez executed to a T. The pair of four-goalers ran roughshod over a comparatively lopsided Antelope team that counted heavily on its No. 3 seven-goal powerhouse Mariano Fassetta and three-goaler Miguel Torres Jr. at No. 2.
Antelope reacted defensively but their best efforts netted two scoreless chukkers and opened Fassetta for just three goals in the match.
Backed by four-goaler Dan Walker, Klentner Ranch ran its offensive strategy on cruise controlquadrupling a 2-1first chukker lead to 8-2 before the half and widening the gap to a an implacable seven goal lead by the end of the fifth.
Gutierrez positioned. Rudy passed. Walker charged to goal past a hook extended by Antelope’s Geoff Palmer. Score. Rudy, for the turnover, positions and passes. Gutierrez receives, battles Fassetta, makes the strike. Score. At the posts, Justin Klentner hooks Antelope’s Pat Nesbitt attempting the steal; Rudy rides in and taps a nearside back through the posts. Score. Antelope’s Palmer backs the ball midfield. Well positioned, Gutierrez gains possession, passes to Walker. Walker receives and passes to Rudy, positioned for the break. Score.
Antelope changed up after the half and mounted a short-lived scoring flurry to come within three goals of Klentner’s Ranch in the fourth and shut down their scoring. But Klentner Ranch quickly recovered and returned to its passing game. Like a good running team in the NFL, a good passing team can also prevail when all else fails.
Antelope Windsor, Klentner Ranch and Friendly Chevrolet hold a 1-1 record in the January league. Stone Canyon/Hanalei Bay trails 0-2 with a narrow 13-12 loss to Fish Creek, 2-0.
Klentner Ranch 15, Antelope Windsor 6
GOALS
Klentner Ranch: Justin Klentner 3, Tim Rudy 3, Mariano Gutierrez 5, Dan Walker 4.
Antelope Windsor: Geoff Palmer 1, Mariano Fassetta 3, Pat Nesbitt 1, Miguel Torres Jr. 1.