Feb. 9, 2013
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Nittany Lion golf squad played their last competition of the Big Ten Matchplay Championship Saturday at the Concessions Golf Club, falling to Wisconsin 4-1-0.
Freshman Geoff Vartelas (Cromwell, Conn.) was responsible for Penn State's only victory, topping freshman Matt Ross 2-up. The two were all square through 16 holes, when Vartelas defeated Ross in the last two holes, 5-7 and 4-5, respectively.
Senior Jay Woodward (Bridgeport, W. Va.) lost a close match to Wisconsin senior Matt Welk. The score was tied going into the 18th, but Welk managed to steal the 1-up victory on the last hole.
Wisconsin Badger Chris Meyer defeated Nittany Lion sophomore Jens Talbert (Little Rock, Ark.) 2-up. Sophomore Xander McDonald-Smith (Rockaway Park, N.Y.) couldn't overcome Rob Jacobson, as he lost a 2-and-1 match.
Senior Anthony DeGol (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) struggled on day two of Big Ten Matchplay, losing 7-and-5 to Wisconsin sophomore Thomas O'Bryan.
Illinois swept the competition to become the 2013 Big Ten Matchplay champions. First, they downed Michigan Friday afternoon. Saturday, the Fighting Illini defeated Ohio State to start the morning and went 4-0-0 against Michigan State to take the eventual crown.
Penn State will continue their spring campaign when they travel to Houston, T.X. for the Challenge of Champions on Feb. 23, hosted by Friday's foe Michigan State.