Conference

Hollidaysburg, PA – Central Connecticut State won its second-ever Northeast Conference Men’s Golf Championship on Tuesday, dethroning three-time defending champion UMBC at the par-72 Scotch Valley Country Club.

The Blue Devils fired a two-day total of 623, edging runner-up Monmouth (629) by six strokes.  Host Saint Francis finished third at 630.

Sophomore Mike Welch (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) led Central Connecticut State to the league title, firing a two-day 150 (73-77) to finish tied with Sacred Heart’s Ryan Riley (North Attleboro, MA/Boston College High) and Saint Francis’ Martin Pettigrew (Rimouski, Quebec/Alademie Les Est Acades) atop the individual leader board.  The three golfers competed in a sudden-death playoff, with Riley garnering NEC medalist honors and Welch finishing runner-up.

Riley closed the two-day championship in impressive fashion, firing a tournament-best three-under-par 69 over Tuesday’s final 18 holes.  Pettigrew had the second-best round of the tournament, shooting an opening-round one-under-par 71 on Monday.

Monmouth head coach Dennis Shea was selected the Northeast Conference Coach-of-the-Year.  It was the second time that Shea has earned NEC Coach-of-the-Year honors (1997 and 2002).