Army Drops Star Match to Navy

Sunday, October 2

West Point, N.Y.

All Day

Army West Point

Navy

Army Drops Star Match to Navy

October 02, 2016 | Men's Golf

WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army West Point golf team fell to Navy, 6-5, as the Midshipmen claimed the Star at the West Point Golf Course on Sunday afternoon.

"We knew exactly what we needed to do to in our matches today and that was to win 5 out of the 7 points," said Head Coach Brian Watts. "We had our opportunities coming down the stretch and came up a point short. I'm proud of the team for fighting until the end, but this will hurt for a bit. We will grow and learn from these experiences and the next time we're in this situation we can perform even better.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Gunnar Doyle and Peter Kim earned early wins for the Black Knights, tying the matchup, 3-3.

Justin Pagila made birdie on No. 17 to go 1-up over Thomas Fricke of Navy, and then saw his match-clinching putt from two and a half feet go just right on No. 18. Fricke won the hole, and the match was halved, making it 3.5-3.5.

After two wins by Navy to push their lead to 5.5-3.5, Nick Turner gave the Black Knights new life with a 2-and-1 victory over Thomas Garbee.

The Black Knights would need a win the final matchup to split the match, 5.5-5.5, and force a playoff.

In the last matchup, Matt Plunkett took a 1-up lead into the final hole against Devin Terry. However, Plunkett's approach on No. 18 was short right, and it took two chips to finally reach the green.

Terry was on the green in two and with a two-putt, was able to halve the match, giving Navy a 6-5 win for their first victory in the rivalry since 2011.

SINGLES RESULTS

Peter Kim (Army) def. Eric Terminello, 2-and-1.

Gunner Doyle (Army) def. Griffin Peters (Navy), 6-and-5.

Justin Pagila (Army) vs. Thomas Fricke (Navy), halved.

Connor Tallman (Navy) def. Justin Williamson (Army), 4-and-3.

Matt Starobin (Navy) def. Max Messner (Army), 4-and-3.

Nick Turner (Army) def. Thomas Garbee (Navy), 2-and-1.

Matt Plunkett (Army) AS vs. Devin Terry (Navy), halved.

"There was some great golf played this weekend," stated Watts. "In my seven years coaching in the Star Match I've never witnessed so many birdies being made by both teams. We want to thank everyone who came out to support the team this weekend! The spectators, cadets, families and Army fans were nothing but first class!"

UP NEXT
Army will travel to Illinois once again, this time to compete in the Bush Cup hosted by Northwestern on Oct. 14.