BANDON, OR – LC State Men’s Golf opened its time at the Bandon Crossings Collegiate with a victory over NCAA Division II Jessup University on Sunday. The Warriors advanced to the semifinal round of the match play tournament with the 2.5-1.5 win.
“It was nice to start off the spring with a win in the quarterfinals,” coach Zach Anderson said. “It was a great match throughout the whole day. Hats off to Jessup and their squad. Our guys battled all day. Three of the four matches went the distance. The cool part of this event is how much our guys can learn about themselves in pressure situations, and there are a ton of them in this format. I am proud of all eight of them for the fight they showed today.”
Oscar Behle and Lucas Ortega earned a dramatic win to seal the victory for LC State. The fourth and final pair out for the Warriors found themselves 5-down through six holes, but clutch putts by Behle had the pair 1-up after the final hole.
“Through six holes they were 5-down and really struggling,” Anderson explained. “They chipped away steadily throughout the next 12 holes and won half of them. It all culminated when Oscar buried a birdie putt on hole 17 to take the lead heading into 18. He then proceeded to make another clutch putt to finish off the match is epic fashion. I am proud of the way he and Lucas battled today when adversity was in their faces early and they persevered.”
Alex Navarro and Sondre Andresen, the third group out for LC State, were the only duo to not play all 18 holes. The pair played strong golf throughout to earn their win at 5 and 3 to end things on the 15th green.
Sophomores Luke West and Owen Pearson were the first pair out and played an even round with their opponents. With the score tied after 18, the teams halved the point.
Kye Krall and Jaxon Moon were edged in their round as the second team out. The pair were 1-down after 18 holes, resulting in Jessup’s lone full point.
“This format is fun and it’s a cool event, but our men are embracing the opportunity for growth and success. Excited for another opportunity tomorrow,” Anderson said.
UP NEXT
The Warriors continue the Bandon Crossings Collegiate with the semifinal round on Monday. LC State will face Simpson (Calif.) starting at 11:30 a.m.
