WARRENSBURG, MO – With three golfers in the top-15, including senior Lexi Hanson sixth overall in a tie for sixth, the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team is fourth after day one (Monday, March 22) of the Midwest Intercollegiate Invitational at the Mules National Golf Club. The final round of the invitational will be held on Tuesday.

The Cougars shot a combined 34 over par 318 and sit behind Central Missouri at 22 over par 306, Lindenwood at 25 over par 309 and Central Missouri (B) at 33 over par 317. USF is just one shot out of third place.

Hanson, who earned her seventh NSIC Golfer of the Week honor this past week, finished with a first-round total of 5-over par 76 (38-38), which left her in a tie for sixth. Hanson had birdies on the 302-yard par four ninth hole and the 540-yard par five 13th hole while adding 10 pars. The senior from Chanhassen, Minn., is ranked second with a -1 under in par 5 scoring. She is sixth overall in par 4 scoring with a two-over par total. Hanson is just two shots of the lead as Josefina Haupt of Lindenwood, Elizabeth Leath of Central Missouri and MOlly Saporito of Central Missouri are all tied for first among individuals.

USF had a pair of golfers tied for 15^th with senior Sydney Hubbard and sophomore Maggie Veenendall both at eight-over par 79. Hubbard, who had 10 pars during her first round of 79 (37-42), had a birdie on the 440-yard par 5 7th hole. She opened with a two-over 37 and closed at six-over 42. Veenendall had birdies on the 475-yard par 5 10th hole and the 292-yard par 4 12^th hole during her 79 (37-42). Like Hubbard, she had a two-over par 37 on the front nine and finished with a six-over par 42 on the back nine.

Senior Lexi Jonas finished 13-over par with an 84 (41-43). She carded four pars in the front nine in shooting 41 and had three more pars and seven for the round with her 43 on the final nine.
Senior Kyleigh Moran ranks tied for 69 after shooting a 17-over par 88 (43-45). She had five pars on her round.

As an individual, sophomore Annie Balduzze was 16-over par 87 (43-44). Balduzzi, who ranked 11^th with 1-over par in par 3 scoring, had eight pars in her round.