With just one match left in the regular season, the Johnston golf team won’t catch first-place La Salle or second-place Moses Brown, but the Panthers will have a shot at qualifying for the state meet, which was their goal at the beginning of the year. The Panthers improved to 7-5 with a win over Shea on Monday and they can finish no worse than fifth in the West Division. The third, fourth and fifth place teams compete in a playoff to determine which team gets the league’s third state meet berth.

Johnston is tied with North Providence and Tolman. The Panthers lost by small margins both times they played North Providence. They beat Tolman by three strokes in their only meeting so far.

On Monday, the Panthers shot a 196 – their second best score of the season – which was good for a win over Shea. Moses Brown carded a 179 to beat both teams.

Johnston was led by sophomore John Gesualdi, who shot a season-best 38. That was the best score of the day among Shea and Moses Brown golfers, as well.

Kenny Calabro added a 51, Jonathan Alsfeld shot a 52 and Josh Oliveira finished with a 54 to round out the scoring for the Panthers.

Johnston also picked up a key win last Monday when it edged St. Raphael 211-217. Gesualdi led the charge in that match with a 45. Alsfeld and Calabro each shot 55’s while Oliveira and Joe Peters both came in with a 56.

Johnston’s last match of the regular season is scheduled for today at 3 p.m. against La Salle and Tolman.