SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Natalie Petersen fired a 1-under-par 71 to lead the Georgia Southern women's golf team into a tie for third after the first round of the Terrier Intercollegiate Monday at the Country Club of Spartanburg.

The Eagles (+17) are tied with Appalachian State, two shots behind Presbyterian (+15) in second, and 13 strokes behind leader High Point (+4).

Petersen (-1) is in a 3-way tie for second, two shots behind leader Cayla Smith (-3) of High Point. The freshman was one of five players to shoot par or better on a wet and rainy day.

Classmate Sarah Noonan posted a 76 and is tied for 14th, and junior Ansley Bowman carded a 77 and is tied for 17th. Ella Ofstedahl shot an 81, and Ashlynn Joyner posted an 82.

The story
Petersen started her tournament off with a birdie on the par-5 1st hole and added a birdie on hole 4 to move to 2-under before finishing the front nine even. She played her first eight holes on the back 2-under with birdies on holes 13 and 15 before giving a stroke back on 18.

Noonan struggled out of the gate but recovered to make five straight pars. She played her final seven holes 2-under with birdies on holes 14 and 15 and posted a 1-under 35 on the back nine.

Bowman parred her first four holes of the tournament and finished the day par-birdie. 

Quotable from Coach Emily Kuhfeld
"Today was a step in the right direction for our young team. Natalie had a solid round of golf with our first under par round this year." 

"We have seen some good progress the past few weeks at home, and are looking forward to playing in the final group tomorrow on this beautiful course."

Next up
The Eagles play the second and final round of the Terrier Intercollegiate Tuesday. The Eagles are paired with Presbyterian and High Point and will tee off holes 1-4 in a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

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