BREWSTER, Mass. – With junior Jon Stoddard (Duxbury/Duxbury HS) leading the way, the Bentley University Falcons had a strong opening day on Sunday during the 79th annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association Championships at the Captains Course Starboard.

When the second of the two-day tournament resumes on Monday morning, Bentley will be first among Division II teams and tied for seventh overall in a 38-team field. Holding those identical spots on the individual leaderboard is Stoddard, who fired a one-over 73, his fifth straight round of 75 or better.

As a team, Bentley turned in a 308 and is just five strokes out of the top five. Central Connecticut State finished with a 288 and will take a nine-stroke lead over second-place Rhode Island into the second round. Also in front of the Falcons are Bryant University, Western New England, Providence College and Wagner College.

Individually, Monte Mullen of Central Connecticut State tops the list following a two-under 70 and holds a one-stroke advantage over Providence's Jamie Ferullo and URI's Joseph Leavitt.

Among Division II entrants, Bentley has a six-stroke lead over The College of Saint Rose and Stoddard is two better than Austin Ball of American International College.

Bentley also received strong first-day performances from sophomores Tommy Ayres (Bolton/ Nashoba Reg. HS) and Malcolm Oliver (Damariscotta, Maine/Lincoln Academy).  Ayres is tied for 24th in a field of 189 following a 76, and Oliver's 77 put him in a tie for 37th. 

NEW ENGLAND INTERCOLLEGIATE GOLF ASSOCIATION
At Captains Golf Course, Brewster
Day 1 of 2

Leading Teams: 1. Central Connecticut State 288, 2. Rhode Island 297, 3. Bryant 298, 4. Western New England 300, 5. Providence 303, 6. Wagner 306, 7. Bentley 308, 7. Southern Maine 308, 9. Husson 311, 10. New Hampshire 312, 10. Elms 312, 10. UMass-Lowell 312, 13. Saint Rose 314, t-14. Franklin Pierce 315, t-20. American International 320, 23. Assumption 322, 25. Saint Anselm 326, 26. Southern New Hampshire 327, 31. St. Michael's 335.

Top Individuals: 1. Monte Mullen, Central Connecticut, 70; 2. Jamie Ferullo, Providence 71; 2. Joseph Leavitt, URI, 71; 4. Zack Garback, Bryant, 72; 4. Bryant Bolden, Central Connecticut, 72; 4. Patrick Donahue, Western N.E., 72.

Bentley Scores: t-7. Jon Stoddard, 73; t-24. Tommy Ayres, 76; t-37. Malcolm Oliver, 77; t-97. Jack Zierolf, 82; t-110. Harry Kirkpatrick, 83.