April 1, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Freshman Nick Delio, junior Erik Jarvey and senior Aaron Hobbs all finished in the top four as Cal State Northridge won its first tournament title in eight years after carding a three-round 855 to win the OGIO-Pacific Coast Intercollegiate at San Marcos G.C. by 20 strokes.

The Matadors finished with team rounds of 282-286-287 for a three-round score of three-over-par 855. Northridge, which led wire-to-wire, defeated second place teams Cal Poly (875) and Boise State (875) by 20 strokes. The Matadors' three-round team score of 855 was a season-low as was the opening-round 282.

The title was Northridge's first team championship since winning the Big Sky Conference Championship in May of 2000 at River Ridge C.C. in Oxnard, Calif.

"It was a total team effort today," said Matador head coach Jim Bracken. "After three second place finishes this year I think the guys were ready to win one."

Delio, who was alone in third place after two rounds on Monday, carded a final round 69 to finish second at six-under-par 207. Delio finished eight shots behind Boise State's Troy Merritt who carded a blistering final round 65 to finish the tournament at 14-under-par 199.

Jarvey also had a solid final round as he posted a 69 on Tuesday after rounds of 72-70 on Monday. The junior finished a season-best third at two-under-par 211. Hobbs, who competed as an individual, also finished his best tournament of the 2007-08 season. The senior slipped to a final round 78 after rounds of 68-68 on Monday but still placed fourth at one-over-par 214.

Junior Chris Satterlee rounded out the Matadors' top 10 scorers as he finished tied for ninth at +4, 217. Satterlee followed up rounds of 72 and 71 on Monday with a final round 74 on Tuesday to post a three-round +4, 217.

Kyle Nicolson rounded out Northridge's team scoring in a tie for 34th at +12, 225. Nicolson completed rounds of 74-76-75 while John Gilles, also an individual, also came in 34th at +12, 225 after rounds of 73-75-77.

"We had seven guys here and they all played well," said Bracken. "It takes a lot of team depth and tough competion among themselves to get better and play better."

Northridge plays its final tournament before the Big West Championship on Apr. 11-12 as the Matadors head to the ASU Thunderbird Invitational.

"Arizona State will be a tougher tournament but this tournament will definitely help us confidence-wise," added Bracken.

NORTHRIDGE NOTES: John Gilles won the Goleta City Championship last weekend with a two-round score of 145.

- GO MATADORS -