April 16, 2006

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - On the strength of a three-under par performance from UTEP junior Gerina Mendoza, the Miners hold a three-stroke lead after Day One at the Conference USA Women's Golf Championship, hosted by East Carolina University. A total of 45 golers played 18 holes in Sunday's opening round at the par 72, 6,221-yard Ironwood Golf and Country Club in Greenville, N.C. on a sunny, 90-degree day.

Mendoza and two of her teammates - senior Amy Young and junior Jullianne Kim - all placed in the Top 10 after the opening round. Young shot par to tie for fourth place, while Kim carded a one-over 73 to tie for sixth.

UTEP scored a 292, three strokes ahead of a second-place Tulsa squad. The Golden Hurricane was led by sophomore Michaela Cavener, who tied with UAB freshman Christina Wentworth with a one-under 71. Mendoza, Cavener and Wentworth were the only three players to break par in the opening round. TU senior Cas Bridge and sophomore Holly Boot tied for fourth (72) and eighth (74), respectively.

Host East Carolina came in third with freshman Lene Krog and seniors Heidi Helliesen and Jamie Quinn all tying for eighth place, shooting a two-over 74. SMU came in fourth place, one stroke behind the Pirates with a 298.

UCF, under the direction of first-year coach Emilee Klein, carded a 303 to place fifth. Memphis and UAB tied for sixth place, while Marshall placed eight in its C-USA Championship debut. Southern Miss rounded out the nine-team field, finishing just nine strokes behind the Thundering Herd.

Second round action begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, with the final round teeing off at the same time on Tuesday.The winner of the C-USA Championship receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Regionals.

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