Men's Golf Picked Second In Northeast Conference Poll

The Central Connecticut State University men's golf team was selected second in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, released this afternoon. The Blue Devils, who finished as the runners-up at last season's NEC Championships, received two out of the 10 first place votes. Junior Eric Hawerchuk will lead CCSU this spring after earning medalist honors at last year's conference championship.

Kevin Giancola is in his first year as head coach for Central Connecticut after serving as assistant coach last season and will attempt to capture their first NEC crown since 2005. Hawerchuk shot a four-under 212 to win last year's league championship and became the first NEC champion to receive an automatic bid to NCAA regional play.

Sophomores Greg Beloin and Kevin Josephson, as well as junior Sam Pelletier will look to make a sustained impact at the onset of the spring season after performing well this fall for the Blue Devils. Top newcomer Dan Fanion was the only Blue Devil to earn a fall NEC Golfer of the Week honor for his one-over-par score (68-72-71) at the MacDonald Cup in October, which placed him sixth in a 75-player field.

Sacred Heart was tabbed as the team to beat this spring in the NEC after winning the championship each of the past two seasons. The Pioneers received eight first place nods. Robert Morris, Monmouth and Long Island rounded out the top five spots in the poll. St. Francis (PA), Fairleigh Dickinson, Mount St. Mary's, Wagner and St. Francis (NY) finished out the 10 team poll.

CCSU will start the spring season at the St. Thomas Aquinas Spring Invitational in Ocean City, MD on March 19 and 20.