WOMEN'S GOLF TIED FOR FIFTH AFTER FIRST ROUND OF OPENING TOURNAMENT

9/17/2007

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Freshman Samantha Safford shot 81 to lead the Sacramento State women’s golf team in the first round of the La Quinta Mountain Shootout, Monday afternoon at the Aspen Valley Golf Club.

Safford is currently tied for sixth place after the opening 18 holes. The second, and final, round of the tournament will take place on Tuesday.

Host Northern Arizona is tied for the team lead with New Mexico State as both teams shot 324. San Diego State is four strokes behind in third place while Cal State Northridge shot 329 and is fourth. Sacramento State and San Diego State’s “Black” team are tied for fifth at 336.

Individually, NAU’s Sophia Chan shot 76 and holds a one-stroke lead over Jackie Kazarian of SDSU Black. In all, 30 players are within 10 strokes of the lead.

Monday’s round saw high scores throughout the tournament on the par-72, 6,426-yard course. Safford finished two strokes ahead of teammate Heather LeMaster (tied for 17th). Emily Longcrier fired an 84 and is tied for 21st while Brooke Green and Kim Coppin each cared an 88 to tie for 33rd.

The tournament is the first for Sacramento State during the 2007-08 season. The Hornets are the defending Big Sky Conference champions and are looking to make a second consecutive NCAA Regional appearance.

TEAM SCORES
T1. Northern Arizona 324
T1. New Mexico State 324
3. San Diego State 328
4. CS Northridge 329
T5. Sacramento State 336
T5. San Diego State “Black” 336
7. Utah Valley State 341
8. Grand Canyon 357
9. Southern Utah 362

TOP FIVE INDIVIDUALS
1. Sophia Choi, NAU, 76
2. Jackie Kazarian, SDSU-Black, 77
T3. Samantha Roberts, SDSU, 78
T3. *Kim Carmody, SDSU, 78
5. Maggie Murphy, NMSU, 80

SACRAMENTO STATE SCORES
T6. Samantha Safford 81
T17. Heather LeMaster 83
T21. Emily Longcrier 84
T33. Brooke Green 88
T33. Kim Coppin 88