It was a mind trick of sorts that, well, did the trick.

The Master’s University men’s golfer Sam Eisenhuth felt frustrated after a so-so day on a scorable golf course Monday.

That night he talked to coach Jason Semelsberger, who challenged him to raise his expectations – to pretend par at Olivas Links Golf Course was 68 rather than 72.

“It really helps you stay in the moment,” Eisenhuth said, “… so you can keep on pushing forward, being committed and aggressive and making more birdies.”

More importantly, Semelsberger helped Eisenhuth re-adjust his spiritual focus.

“Ultimately, as a believer,” the coach said, “if you can take your mind off the result and really focus on worshipping the Lord and enjoying Him in the moment and enjoying Him in the context of golf, the score is going to take care of itself.”

It did.

Eisenhuth shot a 5-under 67 on Tuesday in the second and final round of the CA State Intercollegiate in Ventura.

The Mustangs finished tied for sixth out of 12 teams overall with a 3-over 579.

Master’s shot under par as a team on Tuesday, though, as Eisenhuth carded seven birdies and two bogeys on his way to a sixth place individual finish.

Josh Delo (pictured above) shot a 70. Robert Penalber shot a 72, and Josh Kehl and Karsten Briley each posted a 74 as Master’s worked to catch the field.

The team shot a collective 8-over 296 Monday, good for a share of eighth place.

It was the Mustangs’ second straight slow start.

Master’s finished fifth in Oklahoma City last week, mustering a late push behind Delo’s delightful play.

The senior shot a 65 in the third round there. Eisenhuth closed in similar fashion Tuesday, but he didn’t begin well.

He bogeyed his first hole. Then he picked up steam, birdying three in a row at one point.

“At the beginning of the round, it didn’t seem like it’d be a special round,” Semelsberger said. “Then he got into a hot streak.”

The Mustangs, hoping to start a hot streak, will next be in action on Oct. 9 at the Coastal Collegiate Classic in Gleneden Beach, Oregon.