STANDISH, ME – University of New England topped Saint Joseph's College, 19-39, in head-to-head men's cross country action on the SJC course on Saturday. The Nor'easters claimed five of the top six spots and featured the top finisher in sophomore CJ Vallie (Nashua, N.H.), who toured the 6K course in 21:30 to claim the individual victory.

Freshman Cody Vachon (Shapleigh, Maine) was the Monks' top finisher and placed as the runner-up, just nine seconds off the pace with a 21:39 effort in his first NCAA event. Sophomore Taidghe Hagan (Reading, Mass.) finished seventh with a 22:27 performance, just ahead of another SJC freshman, Nick Shuckrow (Winslow, Maine), who registered a 22:34 time. Junior captain Joe DiSalvo (Derry, N.H.) was the fourth Saint Joseph's runner to cross the finish line and placed ninth with a 22:40 effort.

All five of the Nor'easters top runners raced within a 55-second span, as Peter LePage (Limerick, Maine) (21:42), Paul Mangiafico (Newtown, Conn.) (22:16), Shane Murphy (Glastonbury, Conn.) (22:20) and Nate DiMartino (Hilton, N.Y.) (22:25) all finished in the top six individually.

For the Monks, sophomore Andrew Caron (Gardiner, Maine) placed 19th (24:17), sophomore Connor Dufour (Augusta, Maine) was 24th (25:16), junior Jeff Merrill (Fitchburg, Mass.) finished 29th (26:35), junior Matt Boucher (Augusta, Maine) was 30th (28:47) and sophomore Billy Brooks (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) placed 31st (31:12).

Saint Joseph's will race on Saturday, September 14th when the Monks run in the UNE Invitational at Rotary Park in Biddeford, Maine at 11:30 AM.

Saint Joseph's College is Maine's only Catholic liberal arts college, providing a supportive, personalized and career-focused education for more than 100 years. From its 350-acre campus on the shores of Sebago Lake, the College offers more than 40 undergraduate programs to a population of approximately 1,000 students. Saint Joseph's College Online provides certificates, undergraduate and advanced degrees for working adults through an online learning program. For more, visit www.sjcme.edu.