ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of South Alabama women’s golf team finished the first 18 holes of the 2007 Sun Belt Conference Tournament, firing a team score of 311 Monday. South Alabama is currently tied for third place with 36 holes left to play. Senior Michelle Toth fought through 30 miles per hour winds to lead the tournament with an even-par 72. Denver is the team leader after carding 298.

“I think we should be ok with the position we are in. We did not shoot ourselves out of this today, but there is a lot of golf left,” said head coach T.J. Jackson. “Provided we play well the next two rounds we still have a good chance.”

Behind Toth, was junior Sara Marti recording 77 and senior Elin Andersson turning in 79. Sophomores Darah Newell and Shirley Harvey carded rounds of 83 and 86, respectively.

Behind Denver in second place is Florida International (308), while North Texas (311) is tied with USA in third. Arkansas Little-Rock rounds out the top five, after carding 312.

Denver golfer Stephanie Sherlock (73) is one stroke behind Toth, while teammate Emily Hoeper and Kimberley D’Andrea of Florida Atlantic are tied in third each turning in 74. Four golfers are tied in fifth place after scoring a three-over par 75.

The second round of the Sun Belt Conference Golf Tournament continues Tuesday at Eagles Pine Golf Course with an 8 a.m start.

T-3 South Alabama 311
1 Michelle Toth - 72
T-10 Sara Marti - 77
T-21 Elin Andersson - 79
T-41 Darah Newell - 83
49 Shirley Harvey - 86