RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- After solid performances in its first three tournaments this fall, the Bentley University golf team struggled Friday during the opening round of the two-day Dowling September Shootout at Long Island National Golf Course.

Bentley had a team score of 325, placing the Falcons 14th in an 18-team field. St. Thomas Aquinas College and American International College will enter Saturday's final round atop the team standings, after registering 285 and 292, respectively.

Bentley's number one golfer was junior Richie Powers (Leominster, Mass./Leominster HS), who is tied for 40th in a field of 96.

A pair of St. Thomas Aquinas golfers are the leaders at the midpoint as both John Casey and Tom Linehan tallied 68s.   

DOWLING SEPTEMBER SHOOTOUT

At Long Island National GC, Riverhead, N.Y.

Day 1 of 2

Team Scoring: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas 285, 2. American International 292, 3. Le Moyne 305, 3. Wilmington 305, 5. Concordia 307, 6. Adelphi 308, 7. Nyack 311, 7. UMass-Lowell 311, 9. Saint Rose 312, 10. Dowling 315, 10. Goldey-Beacom 315, 12. Assumption 319, 13. Pace 320, 14. Bentley 325, 15. Felician 332, 16. Holy Family 339, 17. Nassau CC 342, 18. Dominican 345.

Top Individuals: 1. John Casey, St. Thomas Aquinas 68; 1. Tom Linehan, St. Thomas Aquinas 68; 3. Greg Strattner, AIC, 70; 4. 5 tied with 72.

Bentley Scores: Richie Powers 79, Grant Alter 80, Matt Michel 83, Francesco Possio 83, Nick Mini 84.