Teeing off

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Hawks off to best start in years on the links

Woodland’s Ryan Warner putts on the first green as teammate Andy O’Dell watches April 28 at Oxford Greens in Oxford. Woodland faced Naugatuck on the links and the Hawks earned a 198-205 victory. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Woodland’s Ryan Warner putts on the first green as teammate Andy O’Dell watches April 28 at Oxford Greens in Oxford. Woodland faced Naugatuck on the links and the Hawks earned a 198-205 victory. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

OXFORD — The Woodland golf team is off to its best start in quite a few seasons as head coach Bill Carangelo has the Hawks sporting a 4-2 ledger. The Hawks dealt Naugatuck its first loss of the season on Monday, earning a 198-205 victory over the Greyhounds at Oxford Greens.

Woodland sophomore Ryan Warner was the medalist, shooting a solid 42 against the Greyhounds. Junior Mike Erickson was right behind with a blistering round of 43 to put the pressure on the ‘Hounds.

“This early in the season, especially with the weather, we have been getting two solid rounds and then trying to stay competitive,” Carangelo said. “Once the weather breaks I would expect us to drop our scores even more.”

Senior Andrew O’Dell shot a 55 with sophomore Zach Crowell finishing up with a 58. That gave the Hawks their best round of the season as they bested the Greyhounds by seven strokes.

“Against Naugatuck I think it came down to having confidence on the course,” Carangelo added. “If we can close the gap and put together four solid rounds we can be competitive.”

Woodland started the season with a split, earning a win over Kennedy and getting edged out by Holy Cross. The Hawks shot a team score of 202 in the opener with Holy Cross finishing with a total of 191 and the Eagles hitting a 257.

Warner shot a 46, just one stroke from tying the medalist, and O’Dell hit a consistent 50. Juniors Erickson at 52 and Owen Harris at 54 were enough to split the match for the Hawks.

“Ryan and Mike have picked up where they left off last season,” Carangelo said. “Zach is coming along and his scores are really not reflective of how much he’s improved. Once he gets his short game down he will be a factor.”

Woodland moved to 2-2 after splitting a match last week with St. Paul and Crosby. The Hawks shot a 200, falling to the Falcons as St. Paul rang up a total team score of 180. Woodland picked up a win over the Bulldogs as Crosby was off the pace with a 269.

Warner was the medalist with a 42, and Erickson checked in with a 46. Harris hit a solid round of 50 with Crowell finishing off his stroke with a 62.

“We are getting the kind of leadership from Andy that is setting the example for some of the younger guys,” Carangelo said.

Woodland’s Andy O’Dell tees off on the first hole April 28 at Oxford Greens in Oxford. Woodland faced Naugatuck on the links and the Hawks earned a 198-205 victory. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI
Woodland’s Andy O’Dell tees off on the first hole April 28 at Oxford Greens in Oxford. Woodland faced Naugatuck on the links and the Hawks earned a 198-205 victory. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

Woodland served notice with a 200-215 win over Watertown, putting the Hawks’ record over .500 for the first time since Carangelo has taken over the helm. Erickson was the medalist, shooting a confident round of 43.

The annual Woodland Invitational at Oxford Greens on Thursday was canceled due to weather.

On Friday, the Hawks will be at Farmingbury Country Club to take on Wolcott and Kennedy. Woodland will be back at Oxford Greens on Monday to face Crosby and Torrington.

“The NVL is wide open this season,” Carangelo said. “Holy Cross and Watertown, the typical powerhouses, are down a bit after graduation so we are pleased to be at 4-2 this early in the season.”