EASTON, PA – Louis Giovacchini (Windermere, FL/Windermere) shot a three-under 69 and Ben Ortwein (Easton, PA/Notre Dame) added a one-under 71 in the opening round of the ABARTA Coca-Cola Collegiate Invitational at Northampton Country Club, hosted by Lafayette, Sunday afternoon. The Broncs are currently sixth at 287 (-1), while Lehigh leads the team scoring at 279 (-9).

Giovacchini is tied for fifth individually, three strokes behind Fairfield's Killian McGinley and a single stroke behind three others. Ortwein is tied for 16^th.

Rick van der Nat (Noordwijk, The Netherlands/Visser 't Hooft) shot one-over 73, while Connor Bekefi (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) shot a stroke back at 74, good for 31^st and 41^st, respectively. Joey Lostombo (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) shot 80 to round out the Broncs' competitors.

QUOTES & NOTES
"We played solid but didn't get anything out of it. Looking forward to a low one tomorrow before flying to MAAC's." – Rider Head Coach Jason Barry

- The Broncs are one of six MAAC programs competing in the tournament, joining Fairfield (282, 2^nd), Iona (284, 3^rd), Mount St. Mary's (296, 9^th), Canisius (298, 11^th) and Niagara (306, 16^th).
- Rider had the second-most pars in the first round with 61, one back of Mount St. Mary's (62).
- Ortwein and Giovacchini each shot two under on the Par 5's.
- Ortwein added an even-par performance on the Par 3's, a stroke back of a group of six golfers tied for the top score at -1.
- Bekefi's 14 pars led the Broncs, while Giovacchini led the way with five birdies.

UP NEXT
The Broncs get one final tune-up for MAAC Championships when they play the final round of the ABARTA Coca-Cola Collegiate Invitational Monday at Northampton Country Club in Easton, PA. Play is set to begin at 9 a.m.