Weather continues to hamper the efforts of the Fairfield University women’s golf team in completing its first tournament of the spring schedule.  The Stags have completed the first round at the Tina Barrett Longwood Invite, but rain has shortened the event from 54 holes to 36 holes, that will be completed on Tuesday.  The Stags first tournament this spring, the Fairfield Spring Invitational, was not completed due to rain as well.

Fairfield shot a team 353 in the first round at the par 71 7,108-yard Manor Resort Golf Club in Farmville, Va.  The score puts the Stags in 11th place, out of 15 teams, but within striking distance of eighth place.  Ball State University shot a team score of 308 to take the round one lead.

Alicia Esposito shot the Stags best opening round, shooting an 86 for a 41st place tie.  The sophomore was even on the front and back, with a 43-43.  Kristen MacDonald was a stroke back, after shooting 43-44, for a first round 87, good for a 44th place tie.  Courtney Richardson shot 44-44, for an 88 in the opening round, and is tied for 47th place.  Christiana DeStefano and Annie Sperandio round out the Stags effort with opening round 92’s, good for 57th place.  DeStefano shot 45-47, while Sperandio reversed that at 47-45.

The Stags will play twice later this month in the state of Connecticut as they continue to prepare for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Championship.  The Stags will play at the Hartford Invitational April 13-15, and the Central Connecticut Invitational April 18-20, before heading to Orlando, Fla., for the conference championship, April 24-27.