After the first day of the St. Francis College Terriers New Year Knockdown, the Fairleigh Dickinson University women's bowling team is in first place after posting a 4-1 record in the two-day event. Six of the eight teams competing in the event are ranked in the top 20 nationally.
The Knights posted a total pin fall of 4,820 for the five traditional team games on Saturday.
Adelphi is in second place with a total of 4,689, New Jersey City University sits in third with a total of 4,639, Norfolk State's pin fall of 4,573 is fourth and St. Francis rounds out the top five competitors with a total of 4,437.
In the first match of the day, FDU defeated Saint Peter's, 905-863, led by Danielle McEwan (Stony Point, NY/Stony Point)'s game of 236 and a 204 from Sara Litteral (Chesterfield, MI/L'anse Creuse North).
The Knights then fell to Norfolk State in a tough, close match, 1004-979. "We bowled well in this match, despite the loss," said Head Coach Mike LoPresti. Joely Carrillo (Clifton, NJ/Paramus Catholic)'s 236 led the attack, along with a 210 game from Erica Perez (Carteret, New Jersey/Carteret).
The Knights then reeled off three-straight wins to finish out the day. Fairleigh Dickinson defeated Hampton, 995-802. Litteral posted a 255, Carrillo shot a 210 and Perez bowled a 202.
Against Adelphi, the Knights used a balanced attack to win, 976-902, led by a 215 from Carrillo and 203 from Litteral.
In the final match of the day, FDU again showed a team effort, defeating Kutztown, 865-841. McEwan recorded a 206, while Litteral notched a 203.
Individually, three players sit in the top five. Litteral led all bowlers with a total of 1,045 (209 average) and Carrillo was second with a total of 1,031 (206.2 average). McEwan's total of 981 was fifth-best overall (196.2 average).
"It is always tough to play that first tournament after the long break," said LoPresti. "We worked hard, practiced hard this week and it showed in our performance. We were extremely consistent today and that is why we are leading."
"Erica struggled in the first game and then bounced back with four highly competitive games to reestablish her as the leader of the team. We need to be a little more consistent in filling frames to maintain the lead and win the championship this weekend"
The Knights will have two more rounds with round-robin playoffs to follow.
