Smith, Hodgman lead Ravens with 79's

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 10, 2002) - The Franklin Pierce men's golf team placed sixth out of 11 teams in the Western New England College Invitational at Veterans Golf Course this afternoon.

The Ravens posted a 328 team score to finish 28-strokes off the pace set by team champions Salem State College, who posted an even 300 team score. Salem State out-distanced the field by ten strokes as second-place UMass Dartmouth posted a 310 team score.

Juniors Mike Smith (Hanover, Mass./Hanover) and Alex Hodgman (Glastonbury, Conn./Glastonbury) led Franklin Pierce as they each carded 79's on the par-72 layout to place 14th among 54 individual entries. Matt Baran of Salem State took medallist honors with an even-par 72.

JuniorPaul Izzi (Wilton, Conn./Wilton) placed 26th at the event with a round of 83, while sophomoreNick Matulonis (Springfield, Vt./Springfield) registered an 87 (38th).

The Ravens return to the links on Wednesday, October 16, when it hosts the Franklin Pierce Invitational at The Shattuck in Jaffrey, N.H., at noon.