Siena Men's Golf delivered an exceptional start to the season over its first 36 holes at the Metropolis Intercollegiate on Monday. At +13, 573, the Saints lead the 15-team field entering Tuesday's final round from Metropolis Country Club in White Plains, NY.
In a tight grouping among the top-three teams, the Saints will take a one-stroke lead into Tuesday's final round, with North Dakota State – who led for the majority of both rounds – just behind at 14-over, while Richmond looms in third at +19.
Backed by a second round of -3, 67, sophomore
KC Nickel surged into a share of the individual lead with a 36-hole total of -1, 139. Nickel dominated par-4 holes throughout the day, as he is tied for the lowest average score among the field with a 3.96.
Gavin Crowley (71-73-144) is in a share of ninth at +4, while freshman
Colton Lusk impressed, carding 74-71 to finish the first two rounds tied for 15th at five-over.
Michael McConie (+10) and
Austin Giroux (+12) rounded out Siena's lineup, while
Connor Kiel competed independently and shot +13 on the day.
Led by a round of +1 by Crowley and +2 by Giroux and Nickel, the Saints came out hot through their opening 18 holes. The Green and Gold entered the final 18 holes of the day in second at +9, 289, just six strokes behind North Dakota State. Siena posted the third-lowest par-4 (4.27) and par-5 (4.70) scores as a unit through the opening 18 holes, while tying for the lead with 14 birdies. Crowley fueled the charge, leading all individuals with a 3.92 average on par-4 holes through the first round.
Nickel shot par or better on each hole during his second round, turning in three total birdies to help lift the Saints to the top of the leaderboard. Notably, the rookie Lusk had a three-stroke improvement from his first round to his second, backed by six birdies, which included four over holes 12-16. McConie shaved four strokes off his first-round total, shooting +3 over his middle 18.
The Saints conclude the Metropolis Intercollegiate at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday with the final 18 holes.
