GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Senior Alise Knudson (-2) fired a 70 to lead the Furman women's golf team (E) Friday in the opening round of the 50th Annual Lady Paladin Invitational at the par-72, 6,262 yard Furman University Golf Course in Greenville, S.C.

The Paladins posted a 288 in round one and sit one stroke back of leader Xavier (-1) entering Saturday's second round.  UNC Wilmington (+3), Old Dominion (+3), and Western Kentucky (+3) are tied for third in the 13-team field. 

A native of Dallas, Texas, Knudson teed off on No. 1 in the shotgun start and reeled off five-straight birdies from No. 2 through No. 6.  She concluded the round at 2-under and sit two strokes back of individual leaders Keira Gonzalez-McCarthy (-4) of Augusta and Kara Carter (-4) of Xavier, who each shot a 68 in the opening round. 

Sophomore Audrey Ryu (E) is tied for 12th entering Saturday's second round.  She carded an even 72 with birdies on No. 13 and No. 16.  Junior Liza Lapeyre (+1) and freshman Eva Ringwald (+1) are tied for 20th after Friday's round.  The Paladin duo each recorded a 73, with Lapeyre notching birdies on No. 1 and No. 11 and Ringwald adding birdies on No. 11 and No. 18.

Sophomore Kelsi Mauzy (+6) is tied for 54th after posting a 78 with three birdies in round.  Freshman Andrea Marin Raga (+6), who is playing as an individual, is tied for 54th with Mauzy after carding a 78 with a birdie on No. 11.  Freshman Jenna Madden, who is also playing as an individual, is tied for 61st after notching a 79 in the opening round. 

Saturday's second round of the 54-hole tournament will begin with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.  Furman will tee off on No. 1 through No. 3 and will play in a group with Xavier, UNC Wilmington, and Old Dominion.

Admission to the tournament is free and fans are welcome.  Results and live tournament scoring are available via www.FurmanPaladins.com and https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournament-leaderboard/233952/scoring/participants.

2 Furman 288 E

T3 Alise Knudson 70 -2

T12 Audrey Ryu 72 E

T20 Liza Lapeyre 73 +1

T20 Eva Ringwald 73 +1

T54 Kelsi Mauzy 78 +6

T54 Andrea Marin Raga* 78 +6

T61 Jenna Madden* 79 +7

*-playing as an individual