Oct. 12, 2004

FAIRFIELD, CT - Whoever says that golf is an individual sport at the Division I level, has not participated in back-to-back tournaments that stretched two states and seventy-two holes....in four consecutive days.

The Pioneers began the memorable weekend at the Central Connecticut State University Tournament (Stanley Golf Course New Britain, CT) and as soon as the last putt dropped, made the four-hour journey for Lehigh University's Don Mershon Classic (Indian Valley Country Telford, PA).

The Pioneers, in the stretch run of the fall portion of their schedule, had a historic weekend highlighted by a first day team 349, in which sophomore Kathleen Cummings (Waltham, MA) fired an 81 and was backed by an 86 by freshman Ali Heyes (Dunrobin, Ontario).

The 349, which is an all-time low one day total for the program has provided the Pioneers with a great deal of optimism as they look towards April and the Northeast Conference Championship. "I can't be more proud of this effort by this collective group...this sub 350 is instant credibility for our program...programs are taking notice of what we are doing...I give the kids all of the credit, they are not complacent and on the van ride they were strategizing about how to get to 340." Women's Coach Jamie P. Romeo stated. "That performance definitely puts us into the top half of the conference standings come April...I'm glad that that they we werere able to get a taste of the sub 350 before the cold weather hits and we move into the indoor phase of conditioning."

Freshman Ali Heyes led the Pioneers at Central Connecticut State University's Invitational with rounds of 86 and 85 good for an individual finish of 18th. "When we set the goal at the beginning of the year we knew that it was obtainable...we will need to continue to put in more work to stay at that level consistently." Heyes said, "We will get there."

Day-two was not as kind for the Pioneers who finished with a 365. "We were not able to get Ali any help on day two....we need to have three - four scores in the 80's to have an impact on the leader board." Romeo said. "It was not from a lack of effort....I think that we might have pushed a bit on day two after the excitement of day one...we will learn from it and become better."

From New Britain, CT, in which the Pioneers finished in a tie for 9th the Pioneers made the journey to the Don Mershon Classic, which was hosted by Lehigh University. The event, at the Indian Valley Country Club, was the first time the Pioneers had the opportunity to participate in "The Classic". Freshman Lauren Foster (Newington, CT) paced the Pioneers with rounds of 88, 88 good for a tie for 14th. "I've been pressing a bit to put a low number on the board, but overall, I'm happy with my performance to help the team." Foster stated. "I'm optimistic about where we are heading as a program."

The seventh place finish out of nine teams was the best finish in program history at Lehigh. The Pioneers will conclude the fall portion of their schedule this upcoming Friday and Saturday at the famed Bethpage State Park, where the Pioneers will participate in the Hofstra University Fall Invitational.