Semifinal Results | Championship Results

TEXARKANA, Ark. – Liberty defeated UTEP Thursday afternoon in the Conference USA Match Play Finals at the Texarkana Country Club (par 72, 6,969 yards) to earn its second conference title in three years.
 
The morning opened with the semifinals round, featuring UTEP versus MTSU and New Mexico State versus Liberty. The Miners were dominant throughout much of the match, ultimately defeating Middle Tennessee 3-2, with two matches going unfinished. Similarly, Liberty jumped ahead early, holding off the Aggies with a 4.5-0.5 defeat.
 
A victory in the semifinals round sent UTEP and Liberty to face off for the title in the championships Thursday afternoon. It was a 2024 conference rematch, as the Miners looked to even their postseason record against the Flames.
 
It was a tightly contested match with the teams battling a tie through the first few rounds. Liberty’s Michael Lugiano was the first to build a lead, going 5-up on UTEP’s Dylan Teeter. Lugiano held the advantage with a 5&4 finish to earn Liberty’s first point in match play.
 
Silas Haarer claimed the Flames’ second point soon after with a 4&2 finish, putting Liberty ahead 2-0.
 
UTEP attempted to battle back from the deficit, getting a point back and fighting a tie in match five. However, Liberty’s Ike Joy was able to clinch the title with clutch back-to-back birdies for a 2&1 victory.
 
With the win, Liberty earned an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships. The selection show will take place Wednesday, May 6 at 1 p.m. CT and can be streamed on Golf Channel. Regionals are set to begin Monday, May 18 at one of the six designated regional locations. Finals will be May 29-June 3 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.