LIVERMORE, Calif. – Chritopher Steib and Josh Morris led Dominican men's golf to a 15th place finish after the first round Monday at the NNU Poppy Ridge Invitational at Poppy Ridge Golf Course.

Montana State Billings held the team lead with an 8-over 296, with Cal State East Bay close behind in second place at 9 over. The Penguins finished at 33 over par to finish six strokes ahead of conference mate Chaminade.

Steib remained relatively consistent finishing at par in half of his holes but he finished strong as he collected three pars and a birdie to enter the clubhouse tied for 47th at 7 over par. Morris was tied with him as he finished with four birdies in an up-and-down round for the transfer. Matt Fry was the only Penguin to not have a double bogey or higher on the day as he used 10 pars to finish with an 8-over 80 to tie for 54th.

Chritian Schrodt started strong with a 2 over on the front nine, but the back nine left him sitting in 74th at 11 over par tied with teammate Sam Nielsen. Nielsen's round was the opposite of Schrodt as he played his best golf down the stretch posting a 4 over including finishing the round with a birdie and two pars on the final three holes. Benjamin Gould competed as an individual and finished with eight pars as he tied for 70th at 10 over par.

Dominican will tee off for their final round at 7:30 a.m. PST Tuesday at Poppy Ridge Golf Course.