GREENSBORO, Ga. (April 22, 2024) – Behind the strong play from its leader Mats Ege, the ETSU men's golf team held off a charge by Chattanooga as the 20th ranked Buccaneers continue to lead following Monday's second round play at the Southern Conference Championship from The Oconee Course.
 
A day after Matty Dodd-Berry put together a flawless round for a 65, Ege followed suit as he tallied seven birdies and 11 pars to take over the individual lead at 12-under-par 132. The reigning champion birdied two of his first three holes to start the day and four of his first five after the turn to grab the lead. Ege, who has 13 birdies over his first two rounds, carries a two-shot lead into Tuesday's finale as Chattanooga's John Houk is in second place at 10-under-par 134. Like Ege, Houk posted a 65 on Monday.
 
Dodd-Berry, the opening round leader, posted a 2-under 70 in round two and sits in third at 9-under-par 135. Remi Chartier is tied for ninth at 2-under-par 142, while Jenson Forrester is tied for 15th at 1-over-par 145 and Algot Kleen is tied for 18th at 3-over-par 147. Chartier played the back nine at two-under to post a 70 on Monday, while Kleen and Forrester each shot 2-over 74.
 
The Bucs, who are eyeing a fourth straight SoCon title, held off Chattanooga's surge to keep their spot at the top of the leaderboard. ETSU shot a 9-under 279 in round two and is at 22-under-par 554 for the tournament. The Mocs went low on Monday at 14-under 274 and sit in second place at 18-under-par 558. UNCG is the only other team in the field below par after shooting 5-under in round two as the Spartans are in third at 3-under-par 573.
 
Over the first two rounds, ETSU has totaled a tournament-best 44 birdies and 114 pars, while the Bucs lead the field in par-4 scoring (3.95) and rank second in par-5 scoring (4.48).
 
ETSU and Chattanooga will be grouped together in Tuesday's final round with the Bucs teeing off starting at 8:55 a.m.
 
Fans can follow live scoring at Golfstat.com.
 
For more information on Buccaneer men's golf, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's golf page.