METHUEN, MA (Sept. 5, 2007) – Freshman Andrew Albrecht (Georgetown, ONT) fired a two-day score of 140 to earn medalist honors at the UMass Lowell Open Tryout last Thursday and Friday at the Hickory Hill Golf Club.

Albrecht, who entered the second round in third place and five strokes behind junior Anthony Gallardo (Methuen, MA), carded a 70 for the second round after shooting a 74 in the opener.

Gallardo, who fired a first round-low 69 for the first day and a 76 for day two (145), placed second by one stroke while junior Robbie Douglas (Downey, CA) shot a 71-76 for a total of 147.

Albrecht led a field of 21 players vying for seven spots on the 2007-08 UML golf roster.

“This year’s qualifier was the most competitive by far in the four years of the rebuilding of River Hawk golf,” said Head Coach Gary Mucica (’71). “As the scores indicate, this year’s team has the depth of talent that should make us a contender in every tournament we enter this year. Our expectations are very high, but other programs we compete with are also getting better each year and we have to live up to our potential on the course.”

Just seven strokes separated places fourth through 10th, led by freshman Zak Koch (Westfield, MA), who shot a 151, improving from a 79 on day one to a 72; and freshman Mike Farr (Melrose, MA), who carded a 152 (77-75).

Also impressing were freshmen Anthony Ullo (Leominster, MA), who fired a 76-77—153; and Tom Ayala (East Taunton, MA), who carded a 77-77—154. Senior Ryan Bean (Fitchburg, MA) rounded out the team with a 79-76—155.

Along with Bean, Mucica welcomes back six veterans from the 2006-07 squad, including Northeast-10 all-star and captain Tom Thiesing (Grafton, MA), a junior, as well as juniorMatt Bagdovitz (Cobleskill, NY); and sophomores Jeff LeBlanc (Waltham, MA), Chris Lyons (Salem, MA) and Patrick Bean (Fitchburg, MA).

The River Hawks open the season Friday at the Goldey-Beacom Invitational in Middletown, DE.