ATLANTA – Fighting Illini men's golf advanced to the match play finals at the East Lake Cup on Tuesday with a 3-2-0 victory over Texas. The Illini will face 2016 NCAA Champion Oregon in the championship match tomorrow, a rematch of last season's NCAA Semifinals. Illinois tee times begin at 11:45 a.m. CT.

"As with all matches against Texas, today was a very good match," head coach Mike Small said. "I was very pleased with the way both of the freshman played and competed today, and Edoardo (Lipparelli) too. We wanted to see what those first three guys had, leading off the pack, and they responded very well in a way that encourages us. We took care of this match, but I know how fleeting match play can be. I don't read too much into these except how our guys play and how they respond to certain situations, and I thought it was a very positive day."

Freshman Michael Feagles won Illinois' first match of the day, defeating Texas' Scottie Scheffler 3 & 1. Feagles was down early in the match, but was all square as he made the turn. He won the 10^th hole to go 1-up and never looked back.  

"Michael was down early, but he was making birdies," Small said. "He controlled his space and what he could do, and earned a great win against a top player."

Sophomore Edoardo Lipparelli also earned a point for the Illini, defeating Steven Chervony 2 & 1. Lipparelli and Chervony went back-and-forth throughout the round, with Chervony taking an early lead. Lipparelli continued to put the pressure on and square up the match before taking a lead on the eighth hole. Lipparelli secured his final lead in the match on the 16^th hole before continuing on to win the 17^th hole as well.

"Edo finishing birdie-birdie was huge," Small said. "We always talk about finishing off rounds, so to see him do that was positive."

Junior Dylan Meyer clinched the match for the Illini with a 2 & 1 victory over Taylor Funk. Funk took the lead on the front nine, but Meyer pushed back and went 1-up on the ninth hole. He was 2-up through 13 holes and held on for the victory.

"Dylan plays well in that arena," Small said. "He didn't miss a shot coming down the stretch, which is another way to finish."

Texas' Gavin Hall defeated freshman Bryan Baumgarten, 2 & 1, and Doug Ghim defeated Nick Hardy 4 & 2.

"It will be fun to see Oregon again," Small said of tomorrow's championship match. "They're a well-coached team. The way they came back after a tough stroke play round shows that they're going to give us a strong test tomorrow, and that every day is a new day."

Live tournament coverage of the East Lake Cup will air on Golf Channel from 2-5 p.m. CT tomorrow, and will replay in primetime (6-9 p.m. CT). In addition, Golf Central and Morning Drive will be live and on-site at East Lake, surrounding live tournament coverage with pre- and post-event news coverage. News and tournament coverage will be streamed live on Golf Live Extra. Complete information on the East Lake Cup can be found on the tournament website here.