Spector sitting in second at NEWGA

GREENLAND, N.H. – Abby Spector of Waterville, Maine fired an even-par 72 in Wednesday’s second round and moved into second place in the New England Women’s Golf Association Championship at Portsmouth Country Club.

Spector’s two-day total is a 1-under-par 143.

She trails Laura Shanahan-Rowe of New Hampshire, the 2001 U.S. Mid Amateur champ, by two shots.

Shanahan-Rowe moved up from second place to take the two-round lead with a 1-under 71. First-round leader Haley Gildea of Rhode Island struggled to a 77 and a two-day total of 146.

Also in the top five are former University of Vermont women’s basketball star Libby Smith (72-77-149) and Dana Harrity of New Hampshire (71-79-150).

The field will be cut to the top 70 players, including ties, for Thursday’s final round.

Other Maine players who advanced to the third round: Tiffany Shoppe of Lamoine (tied for 17th, 79-81-160); Alyssa Hayes, who plays out of Purpoodock Country Club in Cape Elizabeth (tie for 17th, 75-85-180); Julie Treadwell of Pittsfield (tie for 44th, 81-87-168); Cecily Whiting, who plays out of Woodlands Country Club in Falmouth (tie for 53rd, 84-84-169); Mary Brandes, who plays out of Woodland CC (83-86-169); and Emily Allen, who plays out of Turner Highlands (82-81-171).