Cornwall, Pa. - Atop the field through eighteen holes, the Adelphi University men's golf team made a hard push for nationals with a ninth-place finish at the 2023 NCAA Atlantic and East Region Championships this past weekend in Cornwall.

A three-day, 54-hole tournament at Iron Valley Golf Club, the Panthers finished just eleven strokes shy of a bid for the NCAA Division II National Championships with a 47-over 911.

As twenty teams convened for three automatic bids on the leaderboard, the 'Cats led the pack after the opening day of competition with a 297.

The bottom of the Adelphi lineup played close to even-par on Day 1. Alec Ramos, Francis Lanuza and Johnny Solari were all exceptional on the front nine, highlighted by Lanuza's minus-3.

Four of the five Panthers ultimately shot well below eighty in their first round. Lanuza led the way with a 72, and Ramos followed with a 73. Solari and Filip Wetterqvist each carded a 76.

The second day on the course was much tougher to the Adelphi golfers, who stumbled below the Top 10 with a 315.

Wetterqvist produced his finest round on the last day, shooting a career-best 3-under 69 that consisted of three birdies and fifteen pars. 

After shooting 18-over on the front, the Panthers finished the tournament with a flourish, rallying for a 2-over on the back.

Each of the 'Cats sank at least one birdie on the back nine the final day. Solari led the way with three -- including an impressive birdie on the par-three 17th hole.

"On one hand when we look at our scores of 297 and 299 in Rounds 1 and 3, it is frustrating to think that a score of 304 in Round 2 would have qualified us for the national tournament," said Head Coach David Mattana.

"On the other hand, just getting to the regional after such a long absence and leading the tournament after Round 1 represented a huge step forward for the program. As we are returning a very young team, and adding an exceptional freshman recruit, the prospects for next year seem excellent."

Mattana and his Adelphi squad will now ready for the 2023-24 campaign, with an eye on the elusive NE10 Championship.