MORTON, Minn. – Led by three players in the top 20, including sophomore Sydney Hubbard at ninth, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team sits third in the team standings at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Golf Championship which opened on Friday (April 26) at Dacotah Ridge Golf Course.

On a windy and cool Friday, the Cougars shot a two-round total of 80-over par 656 with consecutive rounds of 328 and 328. USF had 80 combined pars and two birdies from its five players during the 36 holes shot on day one of the championships. Due to forecast of rainy and cold weather for Saturday (April 26), the tournament move round two to the first day (Friday) with the final round (18 holes) set for Sunday with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

Minnesota State leads the tourney and is 19 strokes ahead of second place and defending champion Augustana after shooting a 38-over par 635 with rounds of 309 and 326. Augustana is just two shots ahead of USF at 78-over par 654 with rounds of 330 and 324. After USF, Minot State is fourth at 88-over par and 664 (337-327) with Concordia St. Paul in fifth at 96-over par and 672 (332-340). Erika Olson (78-78) of Concordia St. Paul and Alissa Carlson (75-81) of Minnesota State are tied for the individual lead at 156.

A sophomore from Onalaska, Wisc., Hubbard had a two-round total of 17-over par 161 with rounds of 81 and 80. Hubbard was the top performer at the tourney on par three holes with a 3.0 average. She also had 4.50 average on par four holes. On the day, Hubbard had 19 pars and also carded a birdie.

Also in the top 20 for USF was Lexi Hanson, who placed 13^th with a two-round total of 19 over par 163 as she shots rounds of 80 and 83. Hanson, who was named second team All-NSIC a year ago, had a team-high 21 pars. A junior from Chanhassen, Minn., Hanson averaged 4.55 on par four holes while totaling 5.50 on par five holes.

Sophomore Alex Nutter of Houston, Minn., also placed in the top 20 with a 14^th place finish and a 20-over par 164. She shot rounds of 81 and 83 with a total of 16 pars and a birdie.

Also for USF, sophomore Lexi Jonas of Hudson, Wis., placed in a tie for 23^rd after carding a 27-over par two-round total of 171. She opened with an 89 and had a second round total of 82. Jonas had 17 pars in the two rounds.

USF sophomore Kyleigh Moran of Vermillion finished at 33 over par with a two-round score of 177. Moran, who had seven pars, opened with an 86 and shot a 91 in the second round.