April 10, 2006

KINGWOOD - Lamar University, paced by freshman Therese Nilsson, is second following Monday's opening round of the 2006 Southland Conference Women's Golf Championship at Club of Kingwood - Forest Course (Par-72, 6,082-yards).

Lamar, the defending champion and two-time SLC title holder, opened with a team score of 322. McNeese State holds the 18-hole lead with a 316. Texas State is third, one stroke back of Lamar at 323.

Louisiana-Monroe is fourth at 324, followed by Sam Houston State (327), Texas-San Antonio (336) and Nicholls State (348). Both ULM and UTSA are competing in its first SLC women's golf championship.

Nilsson, a native of Sweden, shot a 40 on the front-nine and a 38 on the back-nine and is tied for fourth place with an opening round 78. Jennifer Crawford of Texas State and Laura Baker of UTSA share the 18-hole lead following opening rounds of 1-over par 73.

Christa Gunn, a senior from Killeen, is tied for 10th place at 39-41--80. Channing Norton, a freshman from Cleveland, is in 12th place following an opening round of 40-41--81. Jennifer Anders, a senior from Beaumont, is tied for 17th at 41-41--83. Hillary Zeigler, a sophomore from Livingston and the defending individual medalist, is tied for 20th following an opening round of 42-42--84.

The 54-hole championship continues with today with another 18 holes beginning with tee times at 8 a.m. and concludes Wednesday with the final 18 holes beginning at 8 a.m.