EASTON, Pa. — The La Salle men's golf team finished the first round of the 20th annual Abarta Coca-Cola Collegiate Invitational in seventh place after shooting 4-over par at Northampton Country Club's par-72 course. 

 

The Explorers posted a total score of 292 to end the round 13 shots behind leader Lehigh in the team standings. The final round begins at 9 a.m. Monday. 

 

Freshman Anthony Garcia led the Explorers through the first 18 holes, as he shot a 1-under-par 71 to finish the day tied for 16th. The Miami, Fla. Native shot 1-under 35 on the back nine, then concluded his round with an even 36 on the front nine. 

 

Following Garcia were senior Nikita Romanov and sophomore Alex Gekas, who both shot a 1-over-par 73 to conclude the round tied for 31st. Romanov opened the round with a 3-under 33 on the back nine, but finished with a 4-over 40 on the front nine. As for Gekas, he shot a 3-over 39 on the back nine, but roared back with a 2-under 34 on the front nine. 

 

Senior Karsen Rush rounded out La Salle's top four with a 3-over 75 to end the day in a tie for 51st. Rush shot a 3-over 39 on the back nine, but rebounded with an even-par 36 on the front nine.