Feb. 24, 2013

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UCLA senior All-American Lee Lopez led a UCLA charge that produced a five-under par team score and moved the Bruins into a second place tie after the first round at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate in New Orleans.

The 25th-ranked Bruins, aiming to improve their national ranking, posted an opening round score of 283 (-5) and were one shot off the lead, held by unranked Tulane at 282 (-6). The Bruins were tied with second-ranked Duke. Lurking nearby were No. 4 Alabama at 285 (-3) in fourth place, No. 3 Florida at 286 (-2) in fifth place and top-ranked USC (287, -1) in sixth place.

Lopez carded four birdies and a bogey for a cool three-under par score of 69. She was tied for fourth place with three other players. Senior Tiffany Lua posted a solid 70 (-2) and was tied for seventh and junior Ani Gulugian was tied for 15th place after posting a 71 (-1). Sophomore Erynne Lee was tied for 31st after carding a score of 73 (+1) and freshman Louise Ridderstrom was tied for 54th after posting a score of 75 (+3).

Tulane found itself on top of the leaderboard following the scores of frontrunner Emily Penttila, who fired a 67 (-5) and was in first place, and Gemma Dryburgh, who was tied for second place after posting at 68 (-4).

Second round action continues on Monday.

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