Sept. 29, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Looking to build upon last year's 6-5 Star Match victory over Army, the Navy golf team has found itself trailing Army after the four 4-ball matches played on a windy Saturday morning at the Naval Academy Golf Course in Annapolis. The Black Knights hold a 2.5 - 1.5 advantage heading into Sunday's seven singles matches that are slated to begin at 8:00 am. The first team to reach six points will be declared the winner.

"I was really proud of all three of our seniors today," said Navy head coach Pat Owen, who has led the Mids to a 6-3 match play record against Army. "Erich Schoen took on a plebe as a partner today and came away with the point for us and Chris Renninger and Ryan Sload were down two late in the match and came back to halve the point. I couldn't have been happier with the leadership and teamwork our senior class showed today."

Added Owen, "Even though we are down, we are looking forward to a competitive battle in singles competition tomorrow."

Army took the early lead when Sam Walenz and Mark Garrison teamed up to take down the junior duo of David Miller and Eric Stinson (Spotsylvania, Va.), 3 & 2.

Navy, however, evened the playing field at a point apiece when freshman Josh Ziska (Camarillo, Calif.) and senior Erich Schoen (Sylvania, Ohio) paired up to defeated Joey Cave and Minou Pak, 4 &3. Ziska was fantastic in his first Army-Navy competition where he birdied the 11th and 12th holes to give Navy a 3-up advantage. In the 14th, Schoen eagled the hole to put the Mids up four.

The third match featured the senior tandem of Ryan Sload (Lancaster, Pa.) and team captain Chris Renninger (Darnestown, Md.) who halved their point against Army's Matt Hanlon and Matt Krembel. The Navy seniors were down two late in the match, but came storming back to claim the 14th and 16th holes. Sload was able to sink and eight-foot putt for birdie, while his counterpart from Army missed his six-footer to give Navy the to point on the 14th hole. On the 16th, Renninger answered the call, two-putting for par from 50 yards out. His initial shot sailed past roughly six yards from the cup, but he was able to sink the lag putt to win the hole for the Mids.

"Ryan and Chris had two really good looks at birdie to win on the 18th, but both shots just lid past the cup," said Owen. "Regardless, I applaud their effort in coming back and getting us a half point. That half point could certainly come into play tomorrow."

Army took the final point of the day when Patrick Beverly and Austin Rhymer earned a 4 & 3 advantage over Navy juniors Ryan Wielgus (Bethesda, Md.) and Chip Hardie (Arnold, Md.).

For Navy to earn is second star in as many years, it needs to win five of the seven singles matches on Sunday. However, if the Midshipmen win four of the seven, it would force a playoff between the No. 1 players from each team.

Army leads, 2.5 - 1.5
Saturday's Four 4-Ball Matches
Sam Walenz-Mark Garrison (A) def. David Miller & Eric Stinson (N), 3 & 2
Josh Ziska & Erich Schoen (N) def. Joey Cave & Minou Pak (A), 4 & 3
Ryan Sload & Chris Renninger (N) halved Matt Hanlon & Matt Krembel (A)
Patrick Beverly & Austin Rhymer (A) def. Ryan Wielgus & Chip Hardie (N), 4 & 3