DRACUT, Mass. – Bentley University junior Matt Michel (Danvers/Danvers HS) won his first career tournament as a collegian in convincing fashion, with his even-par 140 giving him a five-stroke margin of victory in the two-day UMass-Lowell River Hawk Invitational which concluded Sunday at the Meadow Creek Golf Club.

Michel, who had seven birdies during Saturday's opening round three-under 67, came back with a 73 to finish five strokes in front of runner-up Matt Horton of The College of Saint Rose. The 67 was the lowest round recorded by a Northeast-10 Conference golfer this year and the 140 matched the year's low 36-hole total in the NE-10.

His effort helped Bentley tie for second in the 11-team tournament despite playing without three of the usual top five.  The Falcons had a two-stroke lead at the midpoint, but finished nine back of UMass-Lowell, which finished at 602 following an impressive 293.

Bentley's number two man was junior Dan McQueen (Topsfield/Masconomet Reg. HS), who tied for11th with a 152, on the strength of back-to-back 76s. Freshman Quincy Coulter (Lake Bluff, Ill./ Lake Forest HS) broke 80 both days with his 79-78-157 good for a tie for 24th. He's broken 80 in all five of his rounds as a collegian.

Bentley, which has already secured a spot in next month's NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Super Regional, will compete in the AIC Yellow Jacket Golf Classic the next two days at the Ludlow Country Club.

UMASS-LOWELL RIVER HAWK INVITATIONAL

At Meadow Creek GC, Dracut

Final

Team Scores: 1. UMass-Lowell 309-293-602; 2. Bentley 302-309-611;, 2. American International 312-299-611; 4. Franklin Pierce 304-311-615; 5. Pace 307-311-618; 6. Adelphi 305-318-623; 7. Le Moyne 312-321-633; 7. Saint Rose 322-311-633; 9. Assumption 320-320-640; 10. Southern New Hampshire 326-323-649; 13. Saint Anselm 347-313-660.

Top Individuals: 1. Matt Michel, Bentley, 67-73-140; 2. Matt Horton, Saint Rose, 74-71-145; 3. Andrew Fecteau, UMass-Lowell, 77-69-146; 3. Frank Amaizicia, Adelphi, 73-73-146; 3. Nathan Pereira, American International, 74-72-146.

Other Bentley Scores: t-11. Dan McQueen 76-76-152; t-24. Quincy Coulter 79-78-157; t-44. Ryan Hudson 83-82-165; t-47. Andrew Campbell 80-86-166.