NORTH EAST, Pa. (May 6, 2021) - Making its fourth straight appearance in the NCAA Championship Atlantic/East Regional, the Franklin Pierce University men's golf team got off to a solid start on Thursday, as the Ravens put together an opening-round 305 (+17) and sit fourth after the first of three rounds. Sophomore Michael Sosik (Fiskdale, Mass.) paced Franklin Pierce on the first day with a one-over-par 73 and is tied-second, one shot off the individual lead. The Atlantic/East Regional is being hosted by Mercyhurst University at the par-72 Lake View Country Club, which checks in at 6883 yards.

Graduate student Liam Donohue (Vernon, Conn.) is currently in the top-10 as well, as he is tied-eighth in the 85-golfer field after a first-round 74 (+2). Senior Dylan Plis (Camillus, N.Y.) carded a Thursday 78 (+6) and is tied for 32^nd, while graduate student Sam Myers (Colchester, Vt.) rounded out Franklin Pierce's scoring four on the opening day with an 80 (+8) and is tied for 48^th. Finishing out the Ravens' five-golfer lineup was freshman Thomas Hickey (Moultonbourough, N.H.), who turned in an 83 (+11).

"We had a good start and our guys played solid today," said head coach Tyler Bishop '08, '10 after the round. "We are looking forward to going out and competing tomorrow."

St. Thomas Aquinas, the top seed out of the East, led the way at the end of Thursday's play with an opening-round 296 (+8). The Spartans lead by one shot over the 297 (+9) of the Atlantic's top seed, Gannon, which is one shot in front of third-place Davis & Elkins at 298 (+10). The Senators are seven strokes clear of the fourth-place Ravens. The top four teams at the Atlantic/East Regional following Saturday's third and final round will advance on to the NCAA Championship finals.

Individually, Davis & Elkins sophomore Sean Addie holds the first-round lead after an even-par 72. Sosik is part of a six-player tie for second just one shot back at 73 (+1). Eight more golfers turned in opening-round 74s (+2), creating a crowded top of the leaderboard with 36 holes to play.

Atlantic/East Regional competition will continue on Friday and Saturday at Lake View Country Club.