The Effingham boys golf team hosted Vandalia Tuesday and won its first dual match of the season.

Tate Niebrugge and Aiden Beck both shot rounds of 41, helping the Hearts to a 176 total and a nine-stroke victory over the Vandals at Effingham Country Club. Ben Donsbach finished with 45 and Austin Waldhoff 49 to round out the team scoring. Also playing for EHS was Ethan Ritz (49), Ryker Schneider (50), Nick Burgess (47) and Colby Haynes (50).

“The boys hung in there very well,” said EHS coach Jeff Schafer. “They didn’t play their best golf, but their maturity definitely showed. They shrugged off some poor shots and found a way to score. We have made a lot of strides since the first match last year.”

The Hearts will return to action today (Wednesday) at home against Teutopolis.