ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Elliott Nielsen posted back-to-back rounds under par to lead Dominican men's golf to a ninth place finish at the NCAA West Regional Fall Preview hosted by Sonoma State at Foxtail Golf Club.

Sonoma State and Western New Mexico tied for the top spot after 54 holes at 14 under par. Due to the tiebreakers established taking the score of the fifth golfer in the final round, Sonoma State won the tournament. Oklahoma Christian finished third at 10 under par. Dominican finished at 15 over par to top Arkansas – Fort Smith and Colorado School of Mines.

Nielsen got off to a slow start posting a 4 over in his first round, but he quickly found his rhythm in the second round on Monday going even par on the back nine and then a 1 under on the front nine with a pair of birdies on holes six and seven. He continued his strong play in the final round starting his round with a birdie on nine adding four more along the way to shoot a 2-under 70 and move into a tie for 21st at 1 over par for the tournament.

Josh Morris found some early success for the Penguins on Monday as he had an eagle after making the turn to the front nine and finished the day at 1 over par. While he slowed in the second round Morris continued to enjoy mornings on the front nine as he shot three birdies with no bogeys on his way to a 1-under 71. Morris ended the 54-hole event tied for 31 at 4 over par.

Benjamin Gould provided the biggest boost for the Penguins on day one of the tournament as he opened with an extremely solid 1-under 71 that included two birdies and one bogey. He continued that consistency in round two finishing with 15 pars and a birdie finishing at 2 over par. While his overall score took a hit in the final round, Gould finished tied for 42nd at 7 over par with his teammate Sean Buckles who competed as an individual. Derek Hamilton had a strong second round shooting even par and finished the tournament tied for 52nd. Sam Nielsen tied Gould for the strongest first round shooting a 1 under par with three birdies and no bogeys on the front nine but finished the tournament in 57th at 12 over.

Dominican has a quick turnaround as it travels north for the SMU Bishop Men's Invitational beginning Friday in Dupont, Washington, at the Home Course.