Smith leads Ravens with two-day score of 171

BREWSTER, Mass. (October 22, 2002) - The Franklin Pierce men's golf team placed 40th in the field of 46 at the 68th Annual New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championship at the twin par-72 layouts at The Captains, which wrapped up with second-day action today.

Franklin Pierce competed with 46 New England schools from Divisions I, II and III. The Ravens posted a two-day score of 703 (353-350) to place sixth out of the eight Division II teams that participated. University of Rhode Island took the team title with an even 600 team score.

Junior Mike Smith (Hanover, Mass./Hanover) led the Ravens as he carded a 171 (85-86) over two days to place 134th in the field of 227 individuals. University of Vermont's Thomas Rodgers edged Bryant College's Jason Clary in a playoff to take the individual title after they both finished the event with identical 148 (+4) scores.

Sophomore Nick Matulonis (Springfield, Vt./Springfield) posted a two-day total of 177 (88-89), while juniorsAlex Hodgman (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) and Chris DeGeorge (Southbury, Conn./Pomperaug) each carded 181 scores. DeGeorge rebounded from an opening round 95 for an 86 under frigid conditions today.

Franklin Pierce rounded out its fall schedule with this week's event and will return to the links in the spring.