CONCORD, N.H. (September 12, 2022) -- The Franklin Pierce University men's golf team was back in action to open the fall season on Monday, with the first two rounds of the three-round Granite State Opener, hosted by Southern New Hampshire. The Ravens turned in a stellar first-round 286 (-2), but followed up with just a 299 (+11), and sit fourth in the nine-team field at 585 (+9), with one round to play at the 6500-yard, par-72 Beaver Meadow Golf Club. Senior Michael Sosik (Fiskdale, Mass.) is tied-third out of 54 individuals at 142 (-2), after back-to-back one-under rounds of 71.

It was definitely a tale of two rounds for Franklin Pierce on Monday. The team's first-round 286 was the second-best round of the day at Beaver Meadow, but the following 299 was third-worst of the second round, as well as the sixth-worst overall of the 18 team rounds completed on the day. Still, the Ravens head into Tuesday's final round just five shots behind leader Assumption, which went 290-290--580 (+4) on Monday. Host SNHU sits second at 293-288--581 (+5), while Post is third at 298-284--582 (+6).

Behind Sosik for Franklin Pierce, freshman Seth Saffell (Castro Valley, Calif.) -- who is making his collegiate debut at the tournament -- fired an opening-round 70 (-2) and followed with a 75 (+3) to sit solo-12^th at 145 (+1). Junior Thomas Hickey (Moultonborough, N.H.) is tied-18^th at 70-78--148 (+4). Farther down the leaderboard, junior Jake Berkio (Ashburnham, Mass.) is tied-32^nd at 75-78--153 (+9), while sophomore Peter Wurszt (Wilbraham, Mass.) is tied-39^th at 81-75--156 (+12).

Sosik is tied for third with Adelphi senior Filip Wetterqvist, and the two were bettered by only a pair of SNHU golfers on Monday. Senior Matt Conti leads the way at 72-66--138 (-6), while senior Jeff Liss is solo-second at 70-69--139 (-5).

The Granite State Opener will conclude with the third and final round on Tuesday at Beaver Meadow.