APALACHIN, NY – Freshman Connor Bekefi (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) shot a season-low, three-under 69 Sunday and the Rider University men's golf team stands tied for first after the first round of the Matthews Auto Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Binghamton University at The Links at Hiawatha Landing. The Broncs shot 285, which prior to a 278 on Sept. 16 at the Hartford Hawks Invitational, would've been a program record. Bekefi is tied for third, one stroke back of co-leaders Matt Genaway and Mike Donner, both of Canisius, with whom the Broncs are tied for the team lead.  

Nathan Bazant (Venetia, PA/Trinity [California (PA)]) was a stroke back of Bekefi with a two-under 70, good for sixth individually. Austin Devereux (Brielle, NJ/Manasquan) shot an even-par 72 (T-9^th), while Jake Sollon (Venetia, PA/Peters Township) rounded out the scores the Broncs counted with a two-over 74 (T-21^st).

Rider and Canisius are five strokes ahead of Laval University (Quebec), while Saint Peter's (296), Siena (297) and Monmouth (297) comprise the top five.  

QUOTES & NOTES
"Connor and Nathan played really solid today. We left a lot out there and didn't feel like we did anything special and we still shot under par. Looking forward to another chance to win tomorrow." – Rider Head Coach Jason Barry

- Bekefi birdied eight holes, with only a double bogey and three bogeys blemishing his round.
- Bazant finished strong with five birdies in his last 10 holes, including the last three holes.
- Devereux and Sollon each had four birdies.
- Canisius (285), Saint Peter's (296), Siena (297), Monmouth (297), Niagara (299) and Iona (300) also represented the MAAC at the tournament.
- Sollon's team-leading stroke average is now 71.5, with no round worse than 74.

UP NEXT
The Broncs wrap up play at the Matthews Auto Collegiate Invitational tomorrow.