Hampden, Mass. – The UConn men's golf team were forced to go a man-down during the final round of play on Tuesday but the Huskies battled their way to second-place finish in the UConn Invitational at GreatHorse.

The Huskies lost one of their top-five golfers early into Tuesday's final round as sophomore Alex Heard (Boca Raton, Fla.) was forced to withdraw with an injury.  The remaining UConn four of senior Ray Dennehy (Princeton, Mass.), junior Connor Goode (Glastonbury, Conn.), sophomore Bradley Sawka (Ellington, Conn.) and freshman Matt Costello (Taunton, Mass.) locked in and finished out the round and helped the Huskies post a three-day score of 879 (287-291-301) to finish as the tournament runner-up.

"I think a second-place finish with only playing with four guys today is a heck of go and add to that Ray and Connor to finish second and sixth," stated head coach Dave Pezzino.  "When we went a man down, you could see it in their eyes, all four that finished, really understood the job at hand.  This group of Huskies played their butts off today and I'm very proud of that.  We gave it everything we had." 

The University of Rhode Island took home the team title, winning this year's trophy with a three-round score of 869 (287-294-288), shooting even par as a team on the final 18 holes.  St. John's Peicheng Chen was the individual winner, claiming a one-stroke victory with a four-under three rounds of 212 (71-71-70) on the par 72, 7,093 yard course.

UConn's Dennehy shared runner-up honors with URI's Tyler Bruneau, both shooting 213 (-3).  Dennehy posted rounds of 68, 74 and 71 to nab his 10^th career top-10 finish, third as a Husky.  He was one of five players in the field to card an eagle during the tournament and led all players with 18 birdies over 54-holes.

Goode also posted a top-10 finish, tying for sixth place overall with a score of 216 (E).  Goode shot 70, 71 and 75 and finished with 12 birdies.  The Huskies foursome was rounded out by Costello who finished tied for 32^nd with a three-day score of 227 (75-74-77) and Sawka, tied for 36^th with a total of 227 (77-72-78).

"We just need a couple better decisions, some approach shots a bit better and I think we could have had a better final round score. For the final result to be a second place finish, Rhode Island played very well, give them credit." 

UConn got strong performances from their individuals in the field led by senior Trevor Lopez (Winchester, Mass.).  The senior earned his sixth career top-20 finish, tying for 20^th overall in the field.  Lopez shot a three-round score of 223 (74-74-75). Eric Boulger (Walpole, Mass.) finished tied for 24^th, posting a score of 224 (72-76-76).

"I think we grew up a lot this week, we will clean up some mistakes but I feel great and the rest of the semester will unfold nicely."

"So grateful for what GreatHorse does for us," commented Pezzino. "This is a college event that is treated like a tour event.  The great golf course set up, the meals on property, the practice facility.  I have to believe this is one of the top tournaments in the country."