SIMSBURY, Conn. – Bentley University golf coach Mickey Herron couldn't have asked much more from his team as the Falcons opened their season Saturday in the predominantly Division I Ryan T. Lee Memorial Tournament at Hop Meadow Country Club.

With junior Chris Simione (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire HS) leading the way with a one-under 71, Bentley finished the day in second place among 13 teams with a 291 total. The only Division II team in the field trailed only Fordham University (284) as the tournament reached its mid-point. Entering Sunday's second and final round, Bentley hold leads of one stroke on third-place St. Peter's and four on fourth-place Bryant.

Simione posted a 36-35 and finished the opening day tied for fith. He birdied four holes, two on each side.

His four birds was matched by sophomore Robert Falconer (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley HS), who fired a career collegiate best of 36-36-72. Bentley also received an even-par 72 from junior Doug Kulikowski (Pittsford, N.Y./Pittsford Sutherland HS) with the two players tied for eighth in a field of 75.

Bentley also received 76's from seniors Brett Chatfield (Attleboro, Mass./Bishop Feehan HS) and Cal Meyers (Richfield, Wisc./Slinger HS). They are tied for 35th place.

At the top of the leaderboard following the first 18 are Fordham's James Mongey and Yale's Paul Stankey, each with a four-under 68.

Bentley totaled 15 birdies during its opening round of the 2017-18 campaign.