Liberty’s Matt Vital had high expectations about defending his District 11 Class 3A championship Monday afternoon at Old Homestead Golf Course.

In fact, he was pretty confident.

Vital did achieve his goal, but he took a different route.

The senior overcame a slow start and eventually rallied and defended his title. Vital overcame a six-over par on the front nine and battled through two bogeys on the back nine. He finished with a 75.

As a team, Liberty won its third consecutive district title.

“After capturing the championship last year, I expected to win this year,” Vital said. “I have been playing a lot of good golf lately. I was away from the team, and played in tournaments in different parts of the country.

“I am really proud of myself to finish first even though I had a rocky start, among a few birdies to manage my round. My game feels pretty good, but there are still areas I can improve.

“This team is really strong, and we are definitely contenders for a championship.”

Liberty teammates Jase Barker (77) and Michael Vital (77) followed Matt Vital to round out the top-three. Teammate Jimmy Barker was seventh with an 80, and Matt Ronca was 20th overall with an 88.

Head coach Steve Bradley has watched his team ride the wave.

“They’re a great bunch of kids,” he said. “They have worked hard and played all summer, and have been through this before.

“They don’t get too caught up in everything, and just go out there and play their game. They’re having fun.”

As a team, Liberty finished with a total of 309, 26 strokes ahead of second place Northampton. The Konkrete Kids were led by Michale Seidick, 14th (83); Gavin Pychinka, 16th (85); and Trent Moyer, 17th (86).

Freedom’s top finisher was Krish Patel, who was 21st with an 89.

Both Vitals and Jase Barker will advance to states.

The Hurricanes will advance to the subregional round Oct. 12 to play the District 12 champion at Old Homestead. The winner there will move on to states Oct. 19 at Penn State.