Marauders and Coyne Edge Out Rams for Dr. Edwin B. Cottrell Invitational Titles

Sunday, April 7

West Chester, PA

All Day

Millersville University

Dr. Edwin B. Cottrell Invitational

Marauders and Coyne Edge Out Rams for Dr. Edwin B. Cottrell Invitational Titles

4/8/2013 4:45:00 PM | Men's Golf

Results

West Chester, Pa. - The scores were separated by the narrowest of margins, but all that mattered was Millersville: 610; West Chester: 611. The Millersville men's golf team, riding a medalist performance from Robert Coyne, captured the Dr. Edwin B. Cottrell Invitational Tuesday over a hard-charging Golden Ram team.

Millersville has now won two of the last three tournaments it has entered and three this season, marking the most wins in a season since since the 2005-06. Like the team championship, the individual crown was decided by just one stroke with Coyne finishing at 3-over-par and West Chester's Connor Lefever finishing at 4-over. The win is Coyne's second of the season after winning the Mercyhurst Invitational in the fall. He also has five top-10 finishes. With Coyne and Shane Henry last season, a Marauder has won the event in back-to-back seasons.

The win was even more special for Millersville coaches Scott Vandegrift and Ron Weaver. The two West Chester alums received the award from their former college coach and now 91-year-old Dr. Cottrell himself.

The Marauders entered the day with a three stroke lead on West Chester, and Coyne was tied for the lead with Lefever. Coyne's 73 on Tuesday was the team's low round. Mid-way through the round, Coyne was 2-under-par on the day and in total command of the tournament, but some putting woes bumped him back over par on the day. Still, when he needed a par, he got it. On his final hole, No. 1, Coyne was nearly perfect tee-to-green and two putted for his 73. He quickly raced from No. 1 green to the No. 18 green to watch competitor Lefever finish his round. Lefever bogeyed the 18th, finishing with a 74 on the day.

Jonathon Heile, Conor Gilbert and Kevin Davis all improved their scores from round one to round two. Davis dropped his score by nine strokes and posted a 77 on Monday. Davis started his round with birdies on three of the first four holes.

Like Coyne, Heile started strong and was just 1-over-par with five holes to play. He finished with a 76 and in fifth place for the tournament at 13-over-par. Gilbert placed in a tie for sixth after posting a second round 76 and a 14-over-par total.

West Chester placed three players in the top three, and each of those players shot 75 or lower on Monday. Still, the Marauders held off the Golden Rams for the title.

The Erie, Pa., contingent of Gannon and Mercyhurst placed third and fourth respectively but well off the Marauders' pace.

The victory will only help Millersville's NCAA Atlantic/East Super Regional bid. The Marauders were ranked No. 9 in the first Atlantic Region poll. The WVIAC, PSAC and CIAA champions and the top seven at-large teams qualify. The Marauders have a pair of crucial tournaments upcoming in the Cecil C. Spadafora Invitational at Indiana, Pa., and the Vulcan Invitational at California, Pa.