WINDSOR, CT - The inaugural Conference of New England Women’s Golf Championship teed off Saturday at Keney Park Golf Course in Windsor, Connecticut, marking a milestone moment for the league. At the end of Day 1, Suffolk University emerged as the early leader, carding a team total of 342 (+62) to take a five-stroke advantage over Hartford (347, +67) heading into Sunday’s final round.

.

Suffolk’s strength came from a balanced top-end performance, as Krisna Mahendran and Brooke Bugajewski each fired matching rounds of 82 (+12) to share the individual lead. They were joined at the top by Amanda Forziati of the University of New England, who matched the pair’s 82 to make it a three-way tie entering Day 2. The Rams also received a key contribution from Emory Goodson (87, +17) and Alexia Hill (91, +21), whose steady play rounded out Suffolk’s team scoring and kept them narrowly ahead of the field.

.

Hartford remained firmly in contention, paced by Maris Branyan’s 85 (+15), which placed her fifth individually, and twin 87s from Charlee Nagle and Tessa Susco, both tied for sixth. Gabby DeBenedetto (88, +18) also delivered a strong round to give the Hawks four players inside the top 10, a sign of the program’s growing depth in their first championship appearance. Meanwhile, Nichols College (378, +98) sits in third, led by Felicia Zander (88, +18) and Isabella Fluery (89, +19), while the University of New England (383, +103) and Gordon College (385, +105) round out the top five.

.

The day’s leaderboard finshed with ten players finishing within six strokes of the lead. With three players tied atop the individual standings and just five strokes separating the top two teams, the conference’s first women’s golf champion—both team and individual—will be things to watch in Sunday's action starting at 10:30 a.m.

.