BREWSTER, Mass. -- In a more competitive and expanded field from a year ago, the Eastern Connecticut State University golf team sliced 39 strokes off its score and was able to match its seventh-place finish at the two-day 87th New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championships which concluded Sunday at the par-72 The Captains Golf Course.

The tournament leader at 3-under 69 after the first 18 holes on the first day Saturday, junior Ashton Lewis (Fairfield) finished in second place at 2-under 142, one stroke off the pace of medalist Sean McGarrity of Middlebury College. McGarrity shot par Saturday and 3-under Sunday to card a 141. A senior, McGarrity was playing No. 2 for the Panthers, who finished second behind defending champion Babson College. Babson shot 3-over 579, Middlebury 12-over 588 and Eastern finished 28-over 604. Last year, the Warriors finished 67-over 643.

As one of the top six finishers, Lewis earns All-New England recognition this year after shooting 10-over and placing 11th a year ago at the championship. The two-time defending Little East Conference champion, Lewis had earned medalist honors in each of the previous four competitions this fall. Over 36 holes this year, Lewis had one eagle, seven birdies and 23 pars.

Junior Jonah Dupuis (Hampton), sophomore Cal Angelo (Southington), senior Andrew Gromko (Canterbury) and sophomore Chris Davidson (New Milford) followed Lewis. Tied for 21st after the first 18 holes, Dupuis shot par Sunday and finished in a tie for ninth with a 3-over 147. Angelo shot 5-over Sunday and finished in a tie for 36th at 9-over 153. Playing No. 5 for Eastern, Gromko was the team's fourth finisher. Gromko shot 80 Sunday to share 68th place with a 19-over 163. Davison, playing No. 3, carded a 166 and placed in a tie for 85th among 115 players.

Middlebury, Amherst College, Tufts University and Williams College -- none of whom competed in last year's field of 16 years -- finished 2-through-5, with Endicott College edging Eastern by a stroke for sixth place. 

Eastern closes out its fall season Wednesday at the Mitchell College Invitational at 11 a.m. at Shennecossett Golf Club in Groton.