NEW CASTLE, DE (May 7, 2008) – Junior Anthony Gallardo (Methuen, MA) carded a 77 for the third and final round as the UMass Lowell golf team placed sixth at the NCAA Northeast-East Super Regional Wednesday at Back Creek Golf Course.

The River Hawks compiled a three-day score of 942, including a 316 for Wednesday’s round, which pitted them fourth on the day.

“We came here expecting to do better,” said UML Head Coach Gary Mucica. “We held serve, but just never had that big day. The good thing is that we graduate no one from this team.”

With a final score of 916, Bryant University won the championship for the second straight year and advances to the NCAA Championship May 12-17 in Houston, TX. The Bulldogs edged Pace University (917) by one stroke while St. Thomas Aquinas (920) placed third, Post University (936) fourth and Adelphi (939) fifth.

St. Thomas Aquinas led Wednesday’s third round scores with a 304. Bentley (964) and Wilmington College (969) rounded out the eight-team field.

Gallardo finished in a tie for sixth place with a three-round score of 229. Gallardo shot a 77 for the third round, which followed a 75 Tuesday and a 77 on Monday.

Junior Robbie Douglas (Downey, CA) fired an 80 Monday for a three-round total of 235, pitting him in a tie for 18th. Freshman Tom Ayala (East Taunton, MA) and sophomore Patrick Bean (Fitchburg, MA) placed in a tie for 25th with scores of 239. Ayala finished strong with a 79 on Wednesday while Bean carded an 80.

Junior Matt Bagdovitz (Cobleskill, NY) scored an 84 to finish with a 249.

“This being our first time in, I think the pressure of the event was a factor,” Mucica noted. “We proved we belonged at this level. But this was a great experience for us. We intend to be back next year smarter, wiser and more successful.”

Brian Mackey of Dominican College earned medalist honors with a 222, defeating Patrick Schwarze of St. Thomas Aquinas (225) by three strokes.