ITHACA, N.Y. – Three players shot rounds of 80 or below for only the second time in program history as the Union College women’s golf team carded the second-lowest round in school history with a 324 on day one of the Ithaca College Invitational, held as RaNic Golf Course on Saturday afternoon.
 
As a team, Union’s 324 is good for second place out of six teams, 17 shots back of first-place Ithaca College and 10 shots ahead of third-place SUNY Cortland. The team’s round is the second-lowest in the program’s history, behind only a 319 at the St. Lawrence Invitational on September 5, 2021.
 
“Today was a day I won’t soon forget,” said head coach Matt McPhillips. “Even with a one-hour delay to start the day due to rain, all six players were locked in, especially Shea, who was electric from start to finish. Sitting in second place after day one is a great start and I’m excited for the forecast and day ahead.”
 
First-year Iyene Essien sits in a four-way tie for first place after day one following a three-over 75, tied for the second-lowest round in program annals and the second-lowest in relation to par. After going one-over through the first five holes, Essien drove the green on the par-four 6th hole and sunk the putt for her second eagle in as many weeks. She went out with a 37 and then used two birdies to come in with a 38.
 
Junior Shea White carded the best round of her collegiate career on Saturday, sitting in a tie for seventh place with a seven-over 79. She used a birdie on the 6th hole to go out in two-over 38 and came home with a 41 to beat her collegiate best by two strokes.
 
Senior Liz Bentsianov sits one stroke back of White and three others in 11th place after a round of 80, highlighted by an eagle on the par-five 3rd hole where she used a nine-iron to hole out from 125 yards away.
 
The rest of the lineup also had excellent days, as Union received contributions from all members of the squad. First-year Carinna Anastasio carded a season-best round of 90 to tie for 21st overall after day one, followed by senior Katerina Dimacopoulos with a career-best-tying 92, highlighted by a birdie on the par-five 8th hole.
 
Playing as an individual, first-year Ella Golas also posted her best round of the season so far with a 94 and joined Dimacopoulos as one of five players to birdie the 8th hole on Saturday.
 
The teams will be back on the course tomorrow for the second and final day of the Ithaca Invitational beginning at 10 a.m.