SANDESTIN, Fla. – The Georgia Southern men's golf team progressed to the doorstep of its second Sun Belt Conference title for the second consecutive season but fell 4-1 to Coastal Carolina in the match play championship Wednesday afternoon at Raven Golf Club.
The Eagles got off to a great start in the semifinal round and topped UTA 3-2 to advance to the finals against Coastal. The Chanticleers earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
Jake Storey won both his matches today, while
Archer Price and
Steven Fisk each went 1-1, suffering their first career losses in Sun Belt match play. The trio played in the last four Sun Belt Championship matches and all posted a 3-1 record.
Storey overcame a two-hole deficit against Coastal Carolina but won 13, 15 and 16 to take a 1UP lead. The senior halved 17 and 18 to give the Eagles their point.
Price won the first two holes against UTA to get the Eagles started off on the right foot in the semifinals. He was tied through 6 but won 7, 9, 13 and 14 to finish the match.
Storey won his first four holes of the day and after halving 5, won 6 to open a 5UP lead. He lost 11 and 15 but halved 16 to finish out the match.
Fisk led 2UP through the first nine holes of the morning and won 10 and 11 to push the margin to 4UP. He finished the match by winning hole 14.
Quotables from Coach Carter Collins
"I'm very proud of the way we competed throughout the Sun Belt Championships this week. We are disappointed not to be bringing the Sun Belt Championship back to Statesboro, but we have to give Coastal a lot of credit. They performed very well this entire week and got us today."
"This team plays with a lot of heart and toughness. I'm very proud to have the opportunity to coach these guys."
