Eagles currently ahead of Big Sky opponents Montana State and North Dakota

The Eastern Washington University women’s golf team, led by a top-five individual effort from freshman Marissa Borja, currently stands fourth among 14 teams after day one of the Jackrabbit Invitational in Primm, Nev.

The Eagles shot 318 in the first round Monday (Mar. 11). That score put them ahead of Big Sky opponents Montana State (eighth, 331) and North Dakota (11th, 340).

“We played a lot better in the first round than the score indicates,” said head coach Brenda Howe, “We had a couple unfortunate holes and hopefully from here on out we can avoid mistakes like that. The score doesn’t reflect how we played at all.”

Frosty conditions on the course Monday morning caused the first round to be delayed. Competitors were able to play the majority of the second round, but couldn’t finish due to lack of sunlight.

Eastern has a score of 247 (+16) in the second round, with each player having multiple holes remaining. Their current total of 46-over puts them in a tie for fourth with Arkansas State and few shots away from Oakland (third, +43), Houston Baptist University (second, +42) and Southern Illinois (first, +40).

“We have a really good second round going,” said Howe. “We’re looking at finishing the round out well and it could be our season best.”

Borja, on the strength of five birdies, shot a 75 in the first round. Through 16 holes in the second round, she sits even at 63 with a par four and par five remaining.

Jayme Carbon recorded a score of 76 in the first round including three birdies. She sits at 66 in the second round with three holes to play.

Caitilin Rice shot 85 in the first round. Her current score in the second round is 60 with four holes remaining.

Maddie Dodge also had an 85 in the first round, with her scoring an unfortunate 9 on two different par-four holes. In the second, she has a 58 through 13 holes in the second round.

Morgan Lee carded an 82 in the first round and sits at 71 in the second round with three holes to go.

The competition will resume Tuesday (Mar. 12) with conclusion of the second round as well as the third and final round of the Invitational.

“We’re within a couple shots of second place and there’s lots of golf left,” said Howe. “Hopefully we can move up in the third round.”