Eastern University’s golf team is making a statement this spring season. In the fall, the team did not look good, placing low in their tournaments. That quickly changed, however, when they opened up this spring with the Eastern Spring Invitational. As a team, they shot 311, just beating Cabrini by one shot. Salvatore Tortora shot a career best of 76. Everything seemed to be working for him; he held a strong putt throughout the tournament. Ryan Torresin also played well, shooting a 75 to lead the team.
The next three games were close, the Eagles coming in second place. In Yardley, PA, the Eagles attended the Cairn Invitational. The Eagles initially finished the tournament in a tie for first, but through a scorecard decision, Penn State Abington pulled out on top of the Eagles. Even though they lost, the players still played well, Torresin shooting another great game at 75. Freshman Matt Cocorikis shot a good game as well, shooting a 76.
Next, the team travelled to Chesapeake Bay Golf Course in Rising Sun Maryland, where they ended in another tiebreaker, eventually losing to Stevens and coming in second overall. Strangely, the team shot high with Torresin shooting 79, Cocorikis shooting 81, and Andrew Barbin Jr. shooting an 84 to round it out.
Yet unlike at the Chesapeake Bay, the Swarthmore Invitational was not close. Swarthmore dominated with a score of 308. The Eagles, however, came close, finishing in second with a score of 323. Torresin and sidekick Cocorikis finished with a 77. And perhaps, Mother Nature got the best of the Eagles with wind and low temperatures, unfavorable weather for golf.
The Eagles jumped back into action at the Elizabethtown Invitational. The team shot 308 at the Hershey Country Club. Ryan Torresin shot his best game ever, carded a 72. Cocorikis shot a 73, finishing third overall in shooting. Barbin finished shooting a 78 and Tortora shot an 85. Eastern got their payback, outdueling Stevenson, who scored 313.
The team continued to stay hot, coming out on top of the Alvernia Invitational. Matt Cocorikis dominated, shooting a spring best of 73. With a fabulous shooting game, Cocorikis won the medal for the lowest score. Torresin followed up shooting at 76 to place second.
The Eagles have been playing extremely well, and they continue to stay hot. This past Sunday, they came out on top of the Stevenson Invitational. The team shot 318 and performed well. Senior Ryan Torresin looks to finish his last season strong, as this is the best season he has played. However, freshman Matt Cocorikis will fill the void left by Torresin and continue to carry the Eagles. Look for Salvatore Tortora as well to grow as a player; I can see him being a consistent 78 shooter. Tortora has the potential to be another leader on the team. Next season will be Andrew Barbin’s final season; he will be looked on to help the Eagles fly.