BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's golf team began its season Tuesday with the opening round of the Central Region Fall Preview held at Adams Pointe Club.
 
Sophomore Lauren Briggs fired a first-round score of even-par 72 to earn her a tie for third in the individual standings. Briggs was one shot off a career-best tying round. Briggs carded a trio of birdies at No. 9, No. 12 and No. 18 – to tie for the fifth-most birdies in the first round. Her only blemishes on the round came in a three-hole sequence of bogeys at No. 15, No. 16 and No. 17. Briggs is three shots off the lead following the first round.
 
Sophomore Lexi Bartley tacked on a round of three-over par 75 in the opening 18 holes. Bartley landed a birdie at the par-3 fourth hole. Bartley notched 13 pars to tie for the fourth-most pars of the 90 competitors in the opening round.
 
Junior Clara Peake posted a 77 that included a birdie at No. 2.
 
Northwest secured a team score of 302 (+14) on day one of the tournament. The 302 team score is the 10th-best single-round in team history.. The Bearcats are in a tie for fifth place out of 18 teams following the opening round of play.
 
The 36-hole tournament plays to a par-72 at 5,910 yards. The opening round was played Tuesday and the final round will be contested Wednesday.
 
Northwest Scores
3. Lauren Briggs – 72 (E)
18. Lexi Bartley – 75 (+3)
29. Clara Peake – 77 (+5)
42. Carleigh Reoh – 78 (+6)
80. Delaney Medlyn – 86 (+14)

Team Scores
1. Central Missouri - 292 (+4)
2. Nebraska-Kearney - 295 (+7)
3. Missouri Western - 299 (+11)
4. Henderson State - 301 (+13)
5. Northwest Mo. St. - 302 (+14)
    Oklahoma Baptist - 302 (+14)
7. Missouri Southern - 306 (+18)
    Harding - 306 (+18)
9. Southeastern Okla. St. - 309 (+21)
10. Arkansas Tech - 310 (+22)
11. Wayne State - 311 (+23)
12. Arkansas-Monticello - 314 (+26)
     Winona State - 314 (+26)
14. Augustana - 315 (+27)
15. Southern Arkansas - 316 (+28)
16. Southern Nazarene - 328 (+40)
17. Northeastern State - 330 (+42)
18. Southwest Minnesota State - 334 (+46)