April 16, 2005

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Sophomore Brian Feeney is tied for ninth place with a two-over-par 73 and junior Jonathan Hewett salvaged a six-over 77 with a 36 on the back nine, helping Villanova to a tie for 10th place after the first day of competition at the Navy Spring Invitational. The Wildcats posted a team score of 310 on Saturday at the par-71, 6,556-yard Navy Golf Course.

Feeney shot a 36 on the front nine and then came in with a 37 on the back nine to record his lowest round of the season. Sophomore Brock Bergman joined Hewett in shooting a 77, and the pair are tied for 29th place in the field of 104 golfers. Junior Henry Watson carded an 83 to stand in a tie for 84th place, while classmate Colin Mahon had the drop score of 84 and is tied for 92nd.

Division III powerhouse Guilford College leads the 20-team field by seven strokes after shooting a three-over-par 291 on Saturday. George Washington is in second place with a 298, and is followed by St. Bonaventure and Millersville (304).

Heading into the 36-hole tournament, the Wildcats were nearly even with Big East rival Connecticut for what is believed to be the final spot in next week's Big East Championship. The Huskies are in 13th place after shooting a 312 in the opening round.

The Navy Invitational concludes on Sunday with the final 18 holes.

NOTES: The six teams that are selected for the Big East Championship will be announced on Monday morning ... The 54-hole conference tournament will be held in South Bend, Ind. and hosted by Notre Dame next Saturday and Sunday ... Villanova has outplayed Connecticut in head-to-head competition thus far on the season, but the Huskies maintain a small advantage in stroke average and average round relative to par.