Men's Golf | March 19, 2017

LELAND, N.C. - Senior P.J. Acierno posted a one-under par 71 and is tied for third individually after the first day of the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate, hosted by Appalachian State. The La Salle University men's golf team, in the first event of its spring season, stands in seventh place at 617 through 36 holes, just two strokes behind a three-way tie for fourth that includes Florida Gulf Coast.

After carding a first-round 77 that included five birdies, Acierno registered an impressive seven birdies over his first 11 holes during his second round. The Flourtown, Pa. product had a few hiccups down the stretch but was one of just five golfers in a field of 95 to finish a round in the red.

Over two rounds, Acierno's 12 birdies were by far the most of any individual, as a group of four golfers rank second with seven. He also enters the third and final round of the tournament two strokes off the pace set by FGCU's Doug Smith, and holds the top scoring averages on par-3 (2.63) and par-4 (4.00) holes.

Freshman Evan Gaesser had the team's best first round of 75 and is tied for 19th individually at 153. His 22 pars through 36 holes rank 18th in the field. Sophomores Nick Gruber (156), Nick Geiman (160) and Andrew Reynolds (176) rounded out the contingent of Explorers, with Gruber and Reynolds holing two of the seven eagles on the day. Both eagles occurred on the 525-yard, par-5 15th.

The third and final round of the Cape Fear Intercollegiate will take place on Monday, March 20.