Chukkar 1: A Tense Start
The match began with a competitive edge. The Stanford men started with #1 Rodolfo Morelos, #2 Benjamin (Ben) Tang, and #3 Nazar Khan. Despite a hard charge out of the gate by Montana State, the Cardinal struck first. MSU quickly answered, tying the score 1-1 right before the horse walk break. When play resumed, Ben Tang quickly found the goal to give Stanford their first lead.
Following a Montana State horse swap, a foul awarded Stanford a Penalty 2, which Nazar Khan smoothly converted to make it 3-1. However, momentum shifted when a ride-away violation was called on Stanford during a bowl-in, awarding Montana State a Penalty 4. MSU capitalized, hitting a two-point goal above the net to tie the game. As the first chukkar closed, Montana State managed to pull ahead 4-3, setting the stage for a tense second frame.
Chukkar 2: The Turning Point
The second chukkar opened with a foul against the Cardinal, giving Montana State a Penalty 2 conversion and extending their lead to 5-3. But Stanford quickly regrouped. Nazar Khan sparked the comeback with a fast goal, followed immediately by a sharp boards goal from Ben Tang, leveling the game at 5-5. With 2 minutes and 55 seconds left in the chukkar, a heat-induced walk break gave the horses a much-needed rest.
The break did nothing to cool down Stanford's offense. Once play resumed, Ben Tang took control, carrying the ball the entire length of the arena in a loop before scoring off the boards. On the ensuing bowl-in, Montana State attempted a fast break, but Tang delivered a perfectly timed backshot. This allowed the Cardinal to play the ball off the wall for yet another score. Stanford's strategy shifted to suffocating defense—taking the man and denying Montana State access to the ball—closing out the half with a commanding 9-5 lead.
Chukkar 3: Breaking It Open
Coming out of halftime, Stanford substituted Thomas Ravel #1 into the lineup. The fresh energy kept the momentum rolling, but it was Nazar Khan who stole the show, firing up the team with a spectacular two-point goal, quickly followed by several more. The Cardinal defense was relentless, sticking tightly to their marks and exhausting the Montana State riders. By the end of the third chukkar, Stanford had broken the game wide open, leading 17-5.
Chukkar 4: Sealing the Championship
Entering the final frame, Stanford refused to let up. The team maintained complete control of the arena and clamped down defensively, refusing to concede a single goal in the fourth chukkar. Cruising to a 21-5 finish, the Cardinal officially secured their status as Regional Champions.
The Road to Nationals
With the regional trophy secured, the Stanford Men's Polo team now sets its sights on the national stage. The Division II National Championship will take place from April 8 to April 12, hosted at Cornell Polo Club in Ithaca, New York.
Competing at Nationals is a tremendous honor, but sending the team across the country comes with significant travel expenses. As a student-run club sport, the team relies heavily on the backing of its community. For alumni, friends, and fans looking to be a part of this championship journey, financial support to help cover travel costs to Cornell is greatly appreciated. Your backing allows these athletes to focus entirely on what they do best: bringing tremendous pride to us all.
Congratulations to the regional champions, and Go Cardinal!
