EASTON, Pa. — Anthony Garcia placed seventh while leading the La Salle men's golf team to a tie for seventh place at the 20th annual Abarta Coca-Cola Collegiate Invitational on Monday at Northampton Country Club's par-72 course. 

 

The Explorers posted a two-day total score of 14-over-par 590 to end 20 shots behind winner Lehigh in the team standings. The Explorers did have the best finish of any Atlantic 10 team in the tournament, beating out Fordham (11th-place), St. Bonaventure (tied for 15th) and Saint Joseph's (tied for 15th), respectively. 

 

The Explorers received another solid performance from Garcia, who shot a 1-under-par 143 in the tournament. After carding a 1-under 71 in the first round Sunday, the freshman shot an even-par 72 in Monday's final round. 

 

Garcia's seventh-place finish gave him his second consecutive top-10 finish and this third top-10 finish overall this spring.  

 

Following Garcia was senior Nikita Romanov, who tied for 25th after posting a 2-over 146 on a pair of 1-over 73s.  

 

Sophomore Alex Gekas was after Romanov, as he tied for 49th after shooting a 6-over 150. Gekas opened the tournament with a 1-over 73, but shot a 5-over 77 on Monday to end the tournament.  

 

Senior Karsen Rush rounded out La Salle's top four with a 10-over 154 to end the tournament in a tie for 68th. Rush shot a 3-over 75 in the first round, but turned in a 7-over 79 in the final round.  

 

The Explorers will gear up for the Atlantic 10 Championship, which will take place from April 28-30 at Reunion Resort & Golf Club in Orlando, Fla.