SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Led by sophomore Tommy Ethier (Nashua, N.H./Bishop Guertin HS), the Bentley University Falcons finished Saturday's opening day of the American International College Invitational in a tie for second place, four strokes off the pace. The 36-hole tournament will conclude Sunday.

Competing in a field of ten at the Veterans Memorial Golf Course, Bentley posted a 300 to share second with The College of Saint Rose. St. Thomas Aquinas College, with three of the top nine golfers, turned in a 296 to take the day one lead.

Ethier posted a three-under 69 and will begin the second round with a three-stroke lead over Saint Rose's Alex Gibson. Jake Yarmolowitz and ­Travis Fay, both of St. Thomas Aquinas, are next on the leaderboard after each carded a 73.

Bentley also received strong showings from senior Chris Simione (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire HS), with a 75, and sophomore Ellis Yoder (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead HS), with a 77.