Trojans Surge for Come-From-Behind Victory
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – The Taylor men's golf team saved its best for last at Purgatory Golf Club on Saturday as the Trojans fired a final round 293 to collect a one-shot, come-from-behind victory.
The Trojans entered Saturday's final round trailing Crossroads League foe Marian by six shots but the young Trojan squad surged in the last round, led by a pair of even par rounds from freshman Adam Kasitz and sophomore Drew Pickering.
In addition to a pair of 72's from Kasitz and Pickering, Taylor also counted a 74 from sophomore Noah Ross while fellow sophomore Erik Fahlen and redshirt sophomore Javan Johnson added 75's as Taylor erased the six-shot deficit to claim a one-shot victory over Marian.
Johnson continued to establish himself as one of the top players in the Crossroads League as the Franklin, Indiana native finished a tie for fifth place with a 54-hole total of 223 (74-74-75) to lead the Trojans.
Taylor opened the tournament with a team score of 303 and found themselves tied with Indiana Wesleyan in second place, two shots behind University of the Cumberlands (KY). Johnson led the way for Taylor in round one with a 74, followed by Ross at 75, Pickering at 76, and Fahlen at 78.
The Trojans faltered in the second round, carding 306 to fall six shots behind a surging Marian squad and four shots behind Cumberlands before TU's final round push produced the victory.
Taylor finished with a 54-hole team score of 902 (303-306-293) while Marian finished a 903 (310-293-300) and Cumberlands finished at 904 (301-304-299). The Trojans finished well ahead of Crossroads League foes Saint Francis (920), Indiana Wesleyan (924), Spring Arbor (935), and Huntington (990).
In addition to Johnson's T-5 finish, Taylor also got strong play from Ross who finished in eighth place at 227 (75-78-74) and Pickering who finished T-9 at 228 (76-80-72). Fahlen tallied a 12th place finish at 230 (78-77-75) while Kasitz finished T-17 at 230 (84-77-72). Junior Jason Iler competed as an individual and finished in 25th place at 237 (77-84-76).
The victory was TU's third in four tournaments this fall as Taylor remained undefeated against fellow NAIA teams. The event marked the end of TU's fall schedule. Trojans will return to action in the spring.