The Fairfield University men's golf team shot a team 601 on the first day of play at the Mount St. Mary's Spring Invitational at the Quail Valley Golf Course in Littlestown, Pa.  The event concludes with an 18-hole round on the par-72 course on Saturday.

The 18 teams played two, 18-hole rounds on Friday, with Longwood University taking the lead with a 575.  Fairfield is one stroke behind Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) rival Siena College, 600.  The Stags lead other MAAC rivals, two strokes over Rider (603), 21 strokes ahead of Canisius College (622) and 90 ahead of Manhattan College (691).

R.J. Zielinski is the Stags top scorer after the second round, in eighth place, shooting a 143.  He carded the team's best two rounds of the day, shooting 73-70.  Jeff Bradkey, in a 38th place tie, equaled the round of 73, on the second round, after shooting a 79 to open the event.

William Onstott is the second Stag in the standings, with a 151, for 34th place, shooting 76-75.  Greg Cavanagh shot 77-78 for a two-round score of 155 and is tied for 53rd.  Rob Tarallo rounded out the Stags day one effort, shooting 83-78, for a 161.

Fairfield is preparing for the 2008 MAAC Championship next weekend in Orlando, Fla.