WETHERSFIELD, Conn. -- Lumped with 15 Division I programs as the only Division III program in the field, the Eastern Connecticut State University men's golf team trails the field Monday after the first day of the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Collegiate hosted by Fairfield University at historic Wethersfield Country Club.

Competing in the prestigious event for the first time, Eastern has compiled 312 points and is 28-over par after 18 holes. Led by leader Luke Stennett (7-under 64), the University of Rhode Island leads the field with 280 strokes and is 4-under par, with Iona University four strokes back with an even-par 284. 

Junior Ethan McDaniel (Orange), last year's Little East Conference Player and Rookie-of-the-Year, is locked in a six-way tie for 13th place with a 1-over 72 in the 75-person field. Senior Jake Napolitan (Agawam) and sophomore Drew Johnson (Gloucester, MA) share 71st place at 10-over 81, with first-year player Matt McManus (Hamden) 73rd (11-over 82).

Eastern trails 14th-place Brown University (24-over 308) by four strokes and Manhattan College (20-over 304) by eight strokes. 

The second round of 18 holes will be conducted Tuesday beginning at 8 a.m.