SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Skidmore College defeated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the Liberty League men's golf match play championship on Sunday at Saratoga Spa State Park to capture the league title and NCAA Division III Championship automatic qualifier. It is the fifth straight Liberty League championshp for the Thoroughbreds.

The league's new championship format this year featured a 36-hole stroke play qualifier in the fall followed by a 4-team match play championship in the spring. Skidmore captured the fall qualifier and earned the right to host the match play tournament. The Thoroughbreds defeated Clarkson in the semifinals while RPI defeated Rochester to advance to Sunday's championship match.

Needing to win three of the five individual matches to capture the Liberty League title, Skidmore received wins from freshman Zach Grossman, junior John McCarthy and senior Peter Anderson. The other two matches were halted once the Thoroughbreds clinched the title.

Grossman earned the first team point by defeating RPI senior Taylor Wetherby, 6-and-5. McCarthy was next, defeating RPI freshman Brandon Mader, 3-and-1. McCarthy held a 4-up lead with four holes to play, but Mader kept the match alive by winning 15 and 16. McCarthy closed out the match with a birdie on the par-5 17th hole.

Anderson and RPI freshman Michael Souliotis were locked in a close match all afternoon. The players were all square through 17 holes. Anderson nailed his approach shot to within a foot of the cup, setting up a short birdie putt on 18. Souliotis, who was just off the left side of the green, chipped his third shot on. He conceded the hole to Anderson after narrowly missing a putt for par.

Skidmore, ranked 17th in the latest Division III national poll, will compete in the NCAA Division III Championship on May 15-18 at the Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

SKIDMORE 3, RPI 0

Grant Rosener (RPI) led Anthony DiLisio (SKD), 1 up thru 16 (DNF)
Garrett Colgan (SKD) led Matt Lussier (RPI), 1 up thru 16 (DNF)
John McCarthy (SKD) def. Brandon Mader (RPI), 3 and 1
Peter Anderson (SKD) def. Michael Souliotis (RPI), 1 up
Zach Grossman (SKD) def. Taylor Wetherby (RPI), 6 and 5