Gonzaga University
Wyoming Cowgirl Classic Day 1
Zags Grind Through 36 Holes In Arizona
4/2/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
MARICOPA, Ariz. - The Gonzaga Bulldogs completed day one with 36 holes at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. on Monday.
Jessica Mangrobang led the Zags with a solid day, shooting 77-71, to end in a tie in 29th at +4. Nina Novilla kept up her solid play with a 78-77 to finish tied for 71st at +11. Mangrobang had three birdies in her second round with just two bogeys to shoot one-under, the low round for her this season and one shy of her career low. She battled in her first 18 with three birdies as well. Novilla recorded 13 pars in her first round and 11 in her second 18, top-20 in the field.
Francesca Santoni had the low round of the day for the Zags, shooting a 70 in her first 18, the low round for the Zags this year, and ended tied for 74th at +12. After going +3 on her front nine in the first round, she lit up the back nine with three birdies and an eagle on the par-five 16th to go five-under, and two-under on the round. Diana Araneta fired a 73 in her first round, going even on the back with two birdies.
"We played great in the morning," Gonzaga head coach Brad Rickel said. "We keep showing our abilities and then also show our youth. Francesca and Diana were very solid in the morning, but wore down over the long 36-hole day. Jessica's 71 in the second round in the 90-degree heat and wind was a great score."
Pun Chanachai of New Mexico State leads the field at four-under and Sacramento State is the runway team leaders by 14 strokes on day one at 10-under. Gonzaga is in 19th at +40, but just nine strokes separate the next five teams in front of them.
The Zags went +4 on the par-three holes, second in the field, and Santoni's eagle was just one of five on the day. The Bulldogs are back at it tomorrow for another 7:30 pm PST shotgun start for the final 18 holes of the tournament. Live links are available on GoZags.com.
