READING, Pa. - The Daemen College women's bowling team opened the 2016-17 season today by dropping four matches on the first day of the Bud Whitman Memorial Tournament hosted by Kutztown University at Berks Lanes.

All four matches were scored via the Baker scoring system today.

Daemen dropped an 812-747 decision in the opener to Caldwell University.  The Cougars are ranked No. 9 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Division II/Division III Preseason Poll.

A 952-880 loss to Division I Duquesne University followed, before the Wildcats fell 829-742 against crosstown rival Medaille College.

In the final match of the day, Daemen fell 844-782 to St. Francis College-Brooklyn, the No. 20 ranked team in the NTCA Preseason Poll which encompasses all three NCAA divisions.

Despite the losses, Daemen ranked 14th out of 19 competing teams in total pinfall today (3,823 pins).

Newcomer Rachel Steele (Rensselaer, N.Y./Columbia) led the team with a 17.3 Baker scoring average over all 50 frames today.  She was backed up by redshirt-sophomore Kaitlyn O'Hara (Clarence Center, N.Y./Clarence) who posted a 16.6 Baker scoring average.

Tournament play continues tomorrow with five traditional matches, beginning with the Wildcats taking on Virginia State University at 9 a.m.

For continuing coverage and breaking news surrounding the Daemen women's bowling team follow@DaemenAthletics and @DaemenBowling on Twitter.