Nine-goaler Lucas Criado made “the biggest shot” of his career, a 30-yard penalty shot 2:03 into overtime, to lift White Birch over top-seeded Skeeterville 11-10 in the final of the Stanford Financial Group U.S. Open Championship Sunday before a record 7,138 spectators at International Polo Club Palm Beach.

After Criado’s goal easily cleared the posts, he threw his mallet into the air in celebration. Teammate and team captain Mariano Aguerre raised his mallet, then got off his horse and dropped to his knees near the 60-yard line.

“I was just thinking about everything and everybody,” said Aguerre, who had lost in his four previous trips to the U.S. Open final. “This is a sensation few people get to feel in their lives.

“It feels great. I’m so happy, so proud of everyone. I can’t wait to share this with my good friend, Peter Brant (patron of White Birch who did not play because he was away on business).”

This is White Birch’s 31st title of 26-goal level or higher and its first U.S. Open championship. They won all three 26-goal tournaments at International Polo Club Palm Beach this season – beating Skeeterville 11-10 in the Hall of Fame Cup and defeating Black Watch 10-9 in the C.V. Whitney Cup.

“This is the one that has escaped us,” said Aguerre. “There was some sour taste, but that’s the beauty of polo.”

White Birch led 4-0 after the second chukker but Skeeterville rallied to tie the game at 7-7 on three consecutive goals by 8-goaler Julio Arellano in the final minutes of the fourth chukker.

The teams traded goals the rest of the game, with Criado tying the game at 10-10 with 1:50 remaining on a 30-yard penalty shot.

Skeeterville had an excellent opportunity to win the game early in overtime when it started about five yards just to the left of their goal. But White Birch controlled the throw-in and cleared the ball out of danger.

“It’s disappointing, but on the other hand, it was a great game,” said Skeeterville patron Skeeter Johnston, who is winless in three trips to the final. “To get to the final after 15 teams started out is an accomplishment of itself. I’m pleased about that. To win this tournament is a polo player’s dream. So I’ll keep dreaming.”

This was also the first U.S. Open for 17-year-old Julio Gracida, in his first season with White Birch, and 22-year-old Del Walton, who played on last year’s team. Walton was knocked unconscious in last year’s semifinal but returned to play in the final.

“After last year, to come back and win, to get a second chance, it’s great,” said Walton.

Gracida is the son of the legendary Memo Gracida, who has won a record 16 U.S. Open titles – the first in 1977 and the last one in 2004. He helped coach White Birch after his team was eliminated from the tournament.

“I got so nervous in overtime I started shaking, but it’s all worth it,” said Julio Gracida, who invited his fourth-grade teacher to watch the game.

“It’s extraordinary for him (Julio), for Mariano (Aguerre) and for White Birch,” said Memo Gracida.

Criado led White Birch, which went 15-1 during the 26-goal season, with seven goals, Aguerre had two and Gracida and Walton scored one each.

Arellano led Skeeterville with six goals while Owen Rinehart had two goals Johnston and Lucas Monteverde scored one goal each.

“I’m disillusioned,” said Arellano, who won U.S. Open titles in 1995 and 1992. “This is my third (U.S. Open) final in the past five years. Nobody remembers who gets second place. Winning the MVP and having my mare (Malice) win Best Playing Pony are the only things keeping me smiling.”
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