MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University senior golfer Mark Goetz fell one spot short of winning the NCAA Regional and advancing to the NCAA Golf Championship during today's final round at The Sagamore Golf Cub in Noblesville, Indiana.
 
Goetz and Cole Bradley of Purdue were tied at 8-under-par entering the 17^th hole. Bradley secured a birdie on No. 17 to take a one-shot lead and went on to win the regional by two strokes over Goetz. Bradley finished round three with a tournament-low score of 65, including five birdies on the final seven holes.
 
"I'm so proud of Mark," coach Sean Covich said. "He played great this week. He's always been talented, but he has matured these past two seasons and has developed into one of the best players in the country. The reason he has success is because of his preparation and his process."
 
After shooting a 2-over-par 74 and ranking 33^rd on day one, Goetz charged on moving day to a tie for fourth place with a 6-under-par 66 on Tuesday. In today's final round, the Greensburg, Pennsylvania, native shot a 4-under-par 68. Goetz finished second out of 72 golfers in the Noblesville Regional with rounds of 74-66-68=208. For the week, Goetz recorded 14 birdies and two eagles.
 
"It's funny that a kid from Western Pennsylvania, who only had one scholarship offer and that was from a restarted golf program at WVU, just nearly won an NCAA Regional against some of the best amateurs in the world," Covich said. "I think that speaks to Mark's talent, work ethic and matured mindset.
 
"I'm so excited about next year's team with Mark coming back for a fifth season. I know we didn't have the team here this week, but Mark felt like he was playing for us all, sending a message of what to expect out of the Mountaineers next season."