Sunday, April 28
Saucon Valley CC
8:00:00 AM
Lehigh University
vs
Patriot League Championship
Mountain Hawks hold off Navy to claim first PL title since 1997
4/28/2013 11:56:00 PM | Men's Golf
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League men's golf championship came down to the wire and Lehigh matched Navy's final round score of 303 to hold off the Mids by seven strokes and win the program's first Patriot League Championship since 1997 Sunday on the Grace Course at Saucon Valley Country Club. The Mountain Hawks finished at 299-296-303-898 to win the title on their home course.
Three Mountain Hawks earned spots on the All-Patriot League teams, while head coach Henry D'Alberto was voted Coach of the Year by his peers after leading Lehigh to its third championship in men's golf. D'Alberto was the Most Outstanding Golfer in 1996 when Lehigh won its first title.“It has been a long time coming,” said D'Alberto. “It was a great team effort. We didn't have the individual champion but everyone played solid and everyone contributed. I'm very excited about that.”
Five of Lehigh's six golfers broke 80 in Sunday's final round, while Navy was unable to close the gap as only three Midshipmen broke 80.
Junior Alex DiClemente was Lehigh's top finisher, placing third overall at 71-76-75-222. DiClemente's opening round 71 was the low round of the tournament and the only round under par on the weekend. He was joined on the All-League first team by freshman Harley Abrams, who carded three consistent rounds of 76-74-76 to tie for fourth at 226.
Sophomore Carlos Kim earned second team All-League honors, tying for sixth at 75-72-80-227.
Lehigh received solid contributions from the bottom of its lineup as junior Andrew Arnold and sophomore Zach Allinson tied for 11th at 232. Arnold carded the low round for Lehigh on Sunday with a 74, while Allinson chipped in a second round 74.
“Andrew struggled the whole spring but he's a good player,” D'Alberto said. “He stepped up when it counted and we needed it.
Senior Sean Keller finished in 17th place at 236 after rounds of 77, 80 and 79.
“We have a good group of guys who now have a belief that we can win tournaments,” D'Alberto said. “Winning three out of eight tournaments, including this one is a great season for us.”
Navy's Chris House shot a final round 73 to earn medalist honors at three over par 219 with rounds of 74, 72 and 73. House was named the Patriot League's Most Outstanding Golfer and qualified for the NCAA Regional Championship. He earned a one shot victory over Army freshman Marcus Plunkett, who was named Most Outstanding Rookie.
The Mountain Hawks earned the Patriot League's automatic berth to the NCAA Regionals and will learn their postseason destination on Monday May 6.
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Sunday, March 23
