HERSHEY, Pa. -- Day one of the three-day NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Golf Regional at the Hershey Links didn't go as desired for the Bentley University Falcons, who stand in 19th place out of 20 teams with a score of 313.

Five teams will advance for the NCAA Division II Championships, and the Falcons are currently 16 strokes back of fifth-place American International College. St.Thomas Aquinas College sits atop the leader board after a sizzling eight-under as a team. The Spartans lead second place Indiana University (Pa.) by eight strokes.

Junior Richie Powers (Leominster, Mass./Leominster HS) and sophomore Matt Michel (Danvers, Mass./Danvers HS) were the Falcons' top performers during the opening day of the tournament. Powers shot a three-over 75 with his round including two birdies, and Michel was two strokes back after posting 13 pars. In the individual standings, Powers is tied for 42nd in a field of 108 and Michel is tied for 53rd.

Senior captain Alex Macielak (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Saratoga Springs HS) carded a 78 for the Falcons, but Bentley's other two players, junior Nick Clarke (Plymouth, Mass./Cape Cod Academy) and senior Terrence Tedeschi (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury HS) struggled.

Clarke, the team's top golfer all season with a 76.3, turned in an uncharacteristic 83, and Tedeschi posted an 84 despite an eagle 3 on the 18th hole (his ninth as Bentley started on the tenth).

Jared Schmader of Clarion University was the individual leader after the opening day. He fired a 67 and holds a one-stroke lead over a pair of St. Thomas Aquinas golfers, Chris Fitzpatrick and Joe Harney. They were three of 15 players to shoot under par on the par 72, 6,837-yard course.

The tournament resumes on Tuesday with Bentley set to tee off at 7:30 am.

NCAA DIV. II EAST/ATLANTIC REGIONAL

At The Hershey Links, Hershey, Pa.

Day 1 of 3

Team Scoring: 1. St. Thomas Aquinas 280; 2. Indiana, Pa. 288; 3. Clarion 291; 4. Post 292, 5. American International 297; 6. Charleston 299; 6. West Chester 299; 8. Wilmington (Dela.) 300; 9. Concord 302; 10. California (Pa.) 303; 11. Dowling 304; 12. Goldey-Beacom 305; 13. Le Moyne 307; 14. Virginia State 309; 14. Concordia (N.Y.) 309; 14. West Liberty 309; 17. Adelphi 310; 18. Bluefield State 311; 19. Bentley 313; 20. Mercyhurst 320.

Top Individuals: 1. Jared Schmader, Clarion, 67; 2. Chris Fitzpatrick, St. Thomas Aquinas, 68; 2. Joe Harney, St. Thomas Aquinas, 68; 4. Paul Babashanian, California (Pa.), 69; 5. Kent Graham, AIC, 70; 5. Ross Pringle, Clarion, 70.

Bentley Scores: t-42. Richie Powers, 75; t-53. Matt Michel, 77; t-64. Alex Macielak, 78; t-98. Nick Clarke, 83; t-102. Terrence Tedeschi, 84.