ENDICOTT, N.Y. -- Bentley University, the only team to have all five of its players shoot 81 or better, finished Sunday's opening round of play in the Northeast-10 Conference Golf Championships in a tie for third place.

Playing at the En-Joie Golf Course, Bentley posted a team score of 310 and will begin Monday's final round 12 strokes back of day one leader, and defending champion, Adelphi University. UMass-Lowell is alone in second, one stroke in front of the Falcons, and both the College of Saint Rose and American International are even with Bentley in the team standings. A total of 12 teams are participating.

Bentley's first-day leader was junior Richie Powers (Leominster, Mass./Leominster HS), with his three-over 75 placing him in a tie for ninth overall. Sophomore Matt Michel (Danvers, Mass./Danvers HS) and junior Nick Clarke (Plymouth, Mass./Cape Cod Academy) are both tied for 15th after posting 78s, and senior Alex Macielak (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs HS) is tied for 20th after a 79.

Adelphi had the only sub-par golfer Sunday with last year's runner-up Stuart Pulkinen firing a one-under 71. He holds a two-stroke lead over Matt Horton of Saint Rose and Kent St. Charles of Pace.

Monday's action will get underway at 8:15 am.

NORTHEAST-10 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

At En-Joie Golf Course,Endicott, N.Y.

Day 1 of 2

Team Standings: 1. Adelphi 298, 2. UMass-Lowell 309, 3. Bentley 310, 3. Saint Rose 310, 3. American International 310, 6. Le Moyne 312, 7. Pace 318, 8. Saint Anselm 321, 9. Assumption 323, 10. Southern New Hampshire 327, 11. Franklin Pierce 333, 12. St. Michael's 342.

Top Individuals: 1. Stuart Pulkinen, Adelphi, 71; 2. Matt Horton, Saint Rose, 73; 2. Kent St. Charles, Pace, 73; 4. Garrett Beyor, AIC, 74; 4. Matt Demeo, Adelphi, 74; 4. Patrick Bean, UMass-Lowell 74; 4. Jason Mink, Saint Rose, 74; 4. Shane Winslow, Southern New Hampshire 74.

Bentley Scores: t-9. Richie Powers 75; t-15. Matt Michel 78; t-15. Nick Clarke 78; t-20. Alex Macielak 79; t-32. Grant Alter 81.