Day One of Utica Invitational

Day One of Utica Invitational

Bookmark and Share

Scores
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. -- Elmira College, Nazareth College and Utica College competed in the first round of the Utica Invitational at Yahnundasis Golf Club.

Middlebury College (317) and Hamilton College (322) are battling for the lead as they are separated by just five strokes.  St. Lawrence has a strong grip on third place after shooting 336 on day one, followed by Keuka (387), Utica (398), and Nazareth (437).  Elmira and SUNY Canton were unable to finish due to darkness.

Elmira's Audrey Clarke '18, Alyssa Ogden '17, and Giovanna DeLoca '17 were each able to play the entire round.

Clarke, a reigning Empire 8 All-Conference First Team selection, carded a team-best 85 (+12) through the first 18 holes of the tournament. She sits in ninth-place among the 37 golfers who were able to finish their round on Saturday. She is nine strokes behind leaders Katherine Fortin of Middlebury College and Electra Washburn of Hamilton College, who each posted scores of 76 (+3).

Ogden, competing in her first collegiate golf tournament after transferring to EC this fall, shot a first-round score of 89 (+16) and is in a tie for 14th place after day one. DeLoca sits third among the Soaring Eagles in 26th place after shooting a 100 (+27).

Neither Elizabeth Paolucci '17 nor Sarah Hiltbrand '19, who didn't tee off until nearly 3:00 p.m., were able to complete the opening round before they were chased off of the course by the setting sun. Paolucci will resume play on the 18th hole on Sunday morning, while Hiltbrand will continue on the 17th.

Senior Jane Pagano (Erie, PA/Tabor Academy) led the Pioneers with a career-best 92, to put her tied for 18th after day one. Freshman Kara O'Driscoll (Holyoke, MA/Holyoke) finished in second for UC with a 96, which was good enough for 22nd place.  Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) (104) and Olivia Hirschy (Fort Wayne, IN/Culver Academies) (106) are currently in 28th and 31st, respectively.  FreshmanMiranda Cuda (Sylvan Beach, NY/Oneida) capped off the day with a 129.

Freshman Olivia Dowdle was Nazareth's top performer with a score of 95, good for 21st place individually. Other players were Kayla Page (104), Katherine Babuka (111) and Lacey Rezucha (127).

Team Results
1. Middlebury – 317
2. Hamilton – 322
3. St. Lawrence – 336
4. Keuka – 387
5. Utica – 398
Elmira – Incomplete
SUNY Canton – Incomplete