(Lewiston, ID) – The No. 20 Warrior Women’s Golf team is in a tight battle in the team scoring, as well as individual, after the first round of the Briarwood Shootout, hosted by NCAA Division II Montana State-Billings at Briarwood Country Club. Chase Caruso leads the way for LC State in fifth place with three teammates just behind her.
The Warriors are in second place with a score of 329, 11 strokes behind host MSUB.
“The women gave their all today,” Head Coach Zach Anderson said. “This is probably the toughest golf course on our schedule this year, so scores don’t reflect the golf that was played today. It is a very demanding course that takes a lot of discipline. Minus one or two holes for each player, we showed a lot of that discipline today. These women are starting to be process oriented and not outcome oriented which is something we preach daily. Definitely not what we wanted, and it can be cleaned up a lot, but I am proud of the battle this group showed. We are still in the running and will fight tomorrow.”
Chase Caruso, the third member of the Caruso family to come through the LC State program following brother Devon and sister Deana, carded an 81 to lead the group in fifth place. After a rocky start on the front nine, the sophomore shot just 2-over on the back nine. A birdie on hole No. 2 and par on No. 3 closed out the first 18 holes at 9-over.
Freshman Giulia Belfontali is one stroke back of Caruso after a round of 10-over, 82. She started with a birdie on No. 1 and was consistent throughout the rest of the round. Belfontali is currently in sixth place heading into Tuesday’s final round.
Jane Barry and Dallis Shockey are tied for seventh, one stroke behind Belfontali. The pair shot matching rounds of 83. Barry carded a pair of birdies on the back nine of her round, while Shockey birdied No. 1 near the end of her first 18 holes.
Sophomore Isabella Barquet ran into trouble after parring No. 1 to start her round. After the first 18, Barquet is tied for 13th with an 87. Natalia Gomez, playing as an individual, shot a 90 and is in 18th place ahead of the final round.