Women's Golf | 3/25/2016 9:22:00 PM

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – Ansley Bowman carded a 76, and the Georgia Southern women's golf team is in fourth place after the first round of the Bearcat Classic Friday at El Campeon Golf Course.

Bowman is tied for eighth, and Iben Hvass is tied for 15th after shooting an 80. Ariana Macioce shot an 81, and Yeji Shin carded an 83. Taylor Thompson shot 93, and Annie Swords, who is playing as an individual, shot an 87.

Akron (+25) leads the tournament, and host Cincinnati (+26) is second. The Eagles (+34) are one stroke behind third-place Seminole State (+33) and a stroke ahead of Morehead State (+35) and Jacksonville.

No individuals in the field shot par or better, and a 77 was good for a tie for fifth place.

The story 
Bowman tied for the third-most birdies today on the hazard-heavy course. The freshman posted birdies on holes 3, 7 and 17 and played her final five holes even-par. Hvass had two birdies and played the back nine 3-over, while Macioce tied for the third most pars today with 12. The freshman parred seven holes on the back nine and posted a 36 on the back. Shin played the front nine 2-over with a birdie on hole 8 and scored par or better on six straight holes. 

Quotable from head coach Emily Kuhfeld
"This golf course is a great test for us in patience and having a conservative strategy paired with a confident, assertive swing. Ansley played with poise and confidence today and led the way for us. We are looking forward to continued improvement this week."

Next up
The Eagles will play the second round tomorrow and tee off at 8 a.m. in a shotgun start. Georgia Southern is paired with Akron, Seminole State and Cincinnati and will start on holes 1-4.

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