NORTH STONINGTON, Conn. - North Dakota freshman Samuel Matthew carded an opening-round 76 and is tied for 10th place after the first day of action at the America Sky Conference Championship at Lakes of Isles Golf Course.
Matthew's 4-over 76 paced the Fighting Sioux and put him five shots off the lead after the first of three rounds. The Roseville, Minn., native was the only Sioux golfer to break 80 heading during the opening round.
UND is tied for ninth place with Texas-Pan American after shooting a 320. The Sioux are just one stroke behind both Weber State and Northern Colorado, who are tied for seventh, and six strokes outside of the top five.
Sacramento State sits atop the team standings with a 290 and holds a 17-stroke lead over second-place Houston Baptist. Sacramento State's Cameron Rappleye is the clubhouse leader after carding a 1-under 71.
Second-round action will begin with a 7 a.m. Eastern tee time. The top four teams will tee off beginning at 9 a.m. to close out the start of round two.
Since opening in 2005, Lake of Isles, the Rees Jones designed course, has been consistently ranked as one of the top golf facilities in the country. The 2012 America Sky Championship is utilizing the par-72, 7,252-yard North Course, which features a rocky scenic terrain among the South East hills of Connecticut.
UND Participants
t10. Samuel Matthew, 76
t26. Alex Robb, 80
t26. Nick Schaefer, 80
t45. Collin Lervick, 84
58. Tyler Monda, 92
