BALTIC, Conn. – The Keene State College men's golf team shot a 319 as a team to place sixth of six teams after the first day of a tightly-packed Little East Conference championship hosted by Eastern Connecticut State University at the Mohegan Sun Golf Club on Tuesday.

It likely was not the score or day the Owls had hoped, but with 18 holes remaining, they still have room to move up on Wednesday, sitting one shot behind fifth-place Vermont State University Castleton, four shots behind fourth-place Rhode Island College, and 13 shots behind third-place Western Connecticut State University.  Defending champion University of Southern Maine leads second-place Eastern Connecticut State University by five shots (287-292) through 18 holes, with USM's SJ Welch and WestConn's Brayden Kassel sharing the individual lead, each shooting a one-under 70.

Senior Aidan Davis, an All-LEC First Team recognition last season, leads the way for KSC halfway through the event, sitting at plus-6 (77) and in 14th.  The Hinsdale, N.H. native had a team-best three birdies (half of the Owls' total on the day) including two on the back nine where he shot a two-over 38.  Sophomore Taylor Miller carded an 80 while senior Ben Fecteau and freshman Cole Madden each finished with an 81 to round out KSC's scoring contingent.  Sean Bonneau shot an 86.

KSC – golfing with USM and ECSU on day one thanks to their third-place team finish a season ago – got off to a slow start, recording six bogeys and two double bogeys among their 12 scores over their first three holes to chase early.  They rebounded for 11 pars and three birdies over the remaining 24 total scores on the front nine to hang around but hit a rough patch late to finish with their team score of 319.

The Owls finished with six birdies overall, two behind Castleton and one behind RIC.  Southern Maine had an championship-best 14 birdies on the first of the two days (12 among their four scorers) while Eastern had 13 (also 12 among their top four scorers).  WestConn, who has Daniel Zaleta tied for sixth (73) in addition to Kassel, had nine birdies to place third and ensure tee times with the top two tomorrow.

"It was a tough start…tough day," said KSC head coach Jeff Timmer.  "They battled to the end, but we didn't catch many breaks out there today.  We are only a couple of shots out of fourth, but we need to play better than today."

The Owls will golf with Rhode Island College and Castleton tomorrow in the final round, with tee times beginning at 10:30 a.m. for Cole Madden.  Ben Fecteau begins at 10:39 a.m., Sean Bonneau at 10:48 a.m., Aidan Davis at 10:57 a.m., and Taylor Miller at 11:06 a.m.

KSC has been up and down at the conference championship in their short time as a program, finishing sixth of six (350+354=704) in their first year in 2022-2023, second the following season (312+313=625), fifth (328+324=652) in 2024-2025, and third (355+341=696) last fall.