SANTA ROSA -- Cal State LA's women's golf team posted a strong opening round Monday at the Sonoma State Fall Invitational.

The Golden Eagles shot a round of 312 and find themselves just one shot behind co-leaders Point Loma and Dominican following the opening round at the difficult Valley of the Moon Club. The Golden Eagles are first among the three California Collegiate Athletic Association teams competing. Host Sonoma State is sixth at 325 and Chico State is eighth at 339.

The best individual performance on Monday was from newcomer Gabrielle Lawrence, who is second after a score of 2-over-par 74. She trails leader Claire Shubin by two shots after the opening round. Lawrence was the No. 6 golfer for the Golden Eagles last week and is competing as an individual this week. She tremendous improvement this week and got off to an outstanding start with three birdies on the front-nine. She had a 2-under-par 34 at the turn and added a fourth birdie on the back nine to remain in second place.

Morgan Sjoerdsma bounced back from a rough start and shot a 4-over-par 76, leaving her in a tie for fifth place, just four shots off the lead. Sjoerdsma took a double-bogey on the opening hole and was 5-over-par through five holes before turning things around. She birdied the par-5 seventh hole and added another birdie on the par-5 15th hole. She was 1-under-par over her final 12 holes to get back into contention.

Newcomer Harley Richardson is tied for 10th after an opening round of 5-over-par 77. She birdied the par-4 second hole and was even-par through four holes. She made the turn at 2-over-par 38 and was at 3-over-par over the back nine to solidify her top-10 placing.

Emily Wang was the third scorer for the Golden Eagles after an opening-round of 7-over-par 79 that has her tied for 17th. She had a nice birdie on the par-3 eighth hole to highlight her round.

Pratima Sherpa was next for the Golden Eagles after an opening round of 8-over-par 80 that has her tied for 21st. Her round was highlighted by a nice birdie on the par-3 16th hole.

Freshman Joshlyn Ayala shot a 10-over-par 82 and is tied for 28th after the opening round.

The two-day tournament will conclude on Tuesday.

SONOMA STATE FALL INVITATIONAL
First-Round Results
1. Point Loma, Dominican 311, 3. Cal State LA 312, 4. Western New Mexico 315, 5. Colorado State-Pueblo 317, 6. Sonoma Staet 325, 7. Holy Names 327, 8. Chico State 339