WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Army West Point golf team won it's third-straight Star Match at West Point Golf Course with an 7-4 victory after earning 4.5 points in Saturday's singles matches.
The Black Knights had a 2.5 - 1.5 point lead heading into Saturday's matches and continued the momentum to earn their fourth Star in the last five matchups. With the win, Army now has a 3-1 lead in this year's Army-Navy Star Series, presented by USAA.
""Extremely proud of our Team, and very happy for this special group of seniors to leave West Point with a 3-1 record against Navy," head coach Chad Bailey said. "Hats off to their team and coaches; they've got a talented and tough group and it showed itself over the past two days. We've got a tough bunch too; and our guys played with great discipline and composure."
The first points of the second day came from John Heckel Jr., who lead from the start and really attacked the course to win 7-and-6 and earn his second win of the weekend.
Joshua Kim gave the Black Knights their second win shortly after Heckel's dominating performance. Kim won 3-and-2 and really put the pressure on after making the turn on the ninth hole.
Marshall Daniel clinched the match with his 4-and-3 win and then James Ballato added the advantage with a 2-and-1 win on the 17th hole. Samuel Kim came back in the final couple of holes to earn a half a point by squaring his match on 18.
"Special performances by John Heckel Jr. and Josh Kim during both rounds; two talented Yearlings that have meant much to our program this past year and a half, and will carry the water for us in the future," Bagley said. "Marshall Daniel had another terrific Army/Navy performance; and Gary Bullard, in combination with James Ballato, came up big for us on Friday. There was tremendous resiliency up and down our lineup the last two days, even in the matches that didn't go our way. Couldn't be happier for Team!
FRIDAY'S FOUR-BALL
Gary Bullard / James Ballato (Army) def. Keegan Shreves / Chip Deegan (Navy), 1 UP
John Heckel Jr. / Joshua Kim (Army) def. Ben Valdez / Noah Nuez (Navy), 6&5
Marshall Daniel / Rob Ferris (Army) vs. Braxton Tracy / Jack Trazy (Navy), All-Square
Andrew Wilkinson/Owen Huntington (Navy) def. Dragon Theam / Samuel Kim (Army), 3&2
SATURDAY'S SINGLES
Joshua Kim (Army) def. Ben Valdez (Navy), 3&2
Owen Huntington (Navy) def. Dragon Theam (Army), 2&1
John Heckel Jr. (Army) def. Keegan Shreves (Navy), 7&6
Samuel Kim (Army) vs. Chip Deegan (Navy), All Square
James Ballato (Army) def. Jack Tarzy (Navy), 2&1
Andrew Wilkinson (Navy) def. Gary Bullard (Army), 3&1
Marshall Daniel (Army) def. Braxton Tracy (Navy), 4&3
