BAYONET POINT, Fla. — The East Carolina women's golf team posted an opening round 291 and currently sits in second place just five strokes behind Coastal Carolina at the Beacon Woods Invitational. The tournament is being played at the par-72, 6,015-yard Beacon Woods Country Club in Bayonet Point, Fla.

After first round play on Friday afternoon, four Pirates (5-10-0) are in the top-20 with Junior Heidi Helliesen (Droebak, Norway) leading the way in fifth place after an 18-hole score of even-par 70. Senior Adrienne Millican (Fuquay-Varina, N.C.) and Emilie Lind (Kungsangen, Sweden) are tied for ninth place with rounds of 73, while sophomore Michelle William (Wolfville, Nova Scotia) is tied for 17th.

Coastal Carolina leads the tournament with a 286 and USF's Fernanda Rivera is the individual leader at 5-under par 67. Three golfers, UCF's Asshley Grier, Louisville's Adrienne White and Coastal's Natalie Cruse, are tied for second after posting rounds of 69.

This year's tournament features 11 teams including the defending champions from USF. The field consists of UAB, UCF, USF, Stetson, Southern Miss, Louisville, James Madison, Georgia State, Florida International, East Carolina and Coastal Carolina.

"I'm really proud with the way that we came out and played today," said ECU head coach Kevin Williams. "Heidi birdied her last two holes and Emelie birdied three of her last four. Our team is playing well and we're in great position heading into second round play."

Second round action will begin Saturday morning Oct. 2 at 8:30 a.m. from both sides of the course.

Top Pirate Finishes
5.	Heidi Helliesen		34-36=70
T9.	Adrienne Millican	36-37=73
T9.	Emelie Lind		40-33=73
T17.	Michelle Williams	36-39=75
T53.	Jamie Quinn		43-40=83

Top Individual Finishes

1.	Fernanda Rivera (USF)	32-35=67
T2.	Asshley Grier (UCF)	34-35=69
T2.	Adrienne White (LOU)	35-34=69
T2.	Natalie Cruse (Coastal)	34-35=69
5.	Heidi Helliesen (ECU)	34-36=70

Top Team Finishes

1.	Coastal Carolina	286
2.	East Carolina		291
3.	USF		        297
T4.	USF-B		        300
T4.	Georgia State		300