ALTAMONT, N.Y. The Binghamton University men and the University at Albany women golf teams lead after day one of the 2005 America East Golf Championship at the Orchard Creek Golf Club in Altamont, N.Y. on Monday (May 2).

The Binghamton men (304) posted three of the top four scores on the day enroute to a seven-point lead over University of Hartford (311) and an even bigger edge on Boston University (329). The Bearcats’ Zachary Vinal shot an impressive one-over 73 to lead all golfers, while teammates Brad Moulton (75) and Jeff Wolniewicz (77) also had quality afternoons.

The defending-champion Hawks were led by David Arnold’s team-low 77. Julian Freeman, Dustin Wetherup and the 2004 Kenneth J. Pope medalist Matt Burroughs all shot identical scores of 78 to enable Hartford to stay within striking distance of Binghamton. Boston University’s Remington Sloan was the only Terrier in the top-10 with a first-round 75.

On the women’s side, Albany (340) has an 11-point lead on Hartford (351) and is 16 strokes up on Boston University (356). The Great Danes were led by 2004 America East Championship medalist Diane Onofry, who shot an opening-round best 82, Jill Friedman (83) and Lauren Bruce (87).

The Hartford women have improved greatly from the 2004 championship as the Hawks opening round tally of 351 is 50 strokes better than last year’s opening-round 401. Kerry Hassell led the Hawks with an 85, while teammates Juliana Carrillo (87) and Jennifer Guido (88) were not far behind. The Terriers round out the three-team field and trail Hartford by just five points. Brenna Gibson (86), Leah Johnson (88) and Haley Goucher (89) all posted top-10 scores for Boston University.

The America East Championship, which is in its 17th year for the men and the second year for the women, is stroke play with the top four of a team’s five golfers counting toward the score in each round. The two-day event concludes with 18 holes Tuesday, also at Orchard Creek Golf Club.