Sonoma State Spring Invitational (Day 1)

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Cruising through the first day of the Sonoma State Spring Invitational, Academy of Art women's golf currently stand in second place out of an 11-team field, finishing the first round with an overall score of 14-over-par 302, just four strokes behind the leaders and No. 28 team in the nation.

"I couldn't be more proud of this team for their performance today," said Head Coach Beth Allen. "After hearing the news Friday, the prospect of competing this week was pretty daunting but they have come together as a group and are playing for each other. It's a privilege to be their coach and witness it all first hand. Our goal is to get to the postseason so we can keep competing together and today certainly helped get a little closer to that goal. We're going to have to bring it tomorrow but I know we are capable!"

Leading the Urban Knights through the first round was freshman Isabella Christy, whose one round total came out as an even-par 72, ranking second place out of the 56 competitor field. Just two strokes back and tied for seventh place overall was freshman Chantel Tsai with her 2-over-par 74. In the third slot for the squad was freshman Jannel Calixterio, whose 4-over-par 76 was just another two strokes behind her teammate in Tsai. Closing out the team score was junior Nicole Yang, who put together an 8-over-par 80. Rounding out the squad was freshman Meri Illamola with her 9-over-par 81.

While No. 28 Cal State Los Angeles leads the tournament overall with a 10-over-par 298, Holly Obermuller of Menlo is ahead of the field individually, shooting a 5-under-par 67 while Avery Foster of Sonoma State and Harley Richardson of CSULA are both three strokes behind.

ART U will compete in the final round tomorrow, looking to climb one spot and maintain their current leads over nine other schools.