Ursa Alone in Third Following Opening 36 Holes at ECAC Championships

Central Connecticut sophomore Tom Ursa shot a pair of two-over par 73s on the Long Island National Golf Course in opening round action at the ECAC Championships. Ursa is third on the individual leaderboard, helping put CCSU into a sixth heading into tomorrow's final round. The Blue Devils posted a 610 (309-301) team total. Yale took over the top spot in the team standings after shooting 288 over the final 18. The Bulldogs vaulted past morning-leader Monmouth and Columbia following a first round 303. Final round play begins tomorrow morning.

Led by sophomore Greg Etimos, Monmouth led the field at 298 through 18 holes. Etimos was tied on top of the individual standings with Wagner freshman Steve Nakajima. Both carded 72s. Second round play is currently underway. Ursa was in a three-way tie one stroke behind Etimos and Nakajima after 18 of 36 holes. Columbia (301) was three shots behind Monmouth and two in front of both Bucknell (303) and Yale (303). Duquesne (309) was tied with CCSU.

Bucknell (598) jumped up to second place with an afternoon 295. Columbia is third at 601, with Duquesne (606) and Monmouth (608) rounding out the top five. Bucknell junior Andrew Cohen and Yale sophomore Tom McCarthy are tied on top of the individual leaderboard. Both shot 75-70. Etimos shot 77 in the afternoon, while Nakajima posted a 76.

In addition to Ursa, sophomore Eric Hawerchuk and freshman Greg Beloin each had two rounds under 80 for the Blue Devils. Hawerchuk shot 77-75, while Beloin posted a pair of 78s. Sophomore Sam Pelletier shot 81-76, and freshman Tucker Dooley posted rounds of 82 and 77.

Play for the final 18 holes will begin at 11 a.m. tomorrow.