St. Joseph wins Division II championship

St. Joseph has won backto-back state boys golf championships in just over four months time.

The Cadets won the CIAC Division II state championship on Monday at Silo Point Country Club in Southbury. Robbie Sluga led the way for the Cadets, carding a 3-over-par 75.

“It was cold and it rained hard for about 45 minutes, but the guys kept making putts and playing smart golf,” St. Joseph coach Jordan Smith said. “I think that’s what separated us today from everybody else.”

St. Joseph won the program’s first state championship last June in Division III. The team moved with the rest of the FCIAC teams from the spring season to the fall.

The Cadets shot a cumulative total of 317, nine strokes better than Berlin. Masuk and Pomperaug, the SWC champion, placed third and fourth, respectively.

Zim McAuliffe from Housatonic Regional was the medalist, shooting a 74. Dan Casanta of Pomperaug was third, posting a 77.

Andrew Flynn posted a 79 for St. Joseph, followed by Anthony Jacozzi (81) and Luke Fortin (82). The Cadets rebounded from finishing in last place at the FCIAC meet held last Thursday.

“It was a disappointing showing,” Smith said. “The guys went back and worked on the parts of their game that didn’t work well on Thursday. We knew we had to play our best (on Monday).”

Brown credited Sluga, his captain, who was in his second season with the program after transferring in from Trinity Catholic in Stamford.

“I couldn’t ask for a better captain this season,” Smith said.