DOWNEY -- Cal State LA's women's golf team had a strong showing Monday in the opening round of the LA Spring Kickoff.

Joshlyn Ayala fired a two-under-par 69 and holds the lead after the first round of the 36-hole tournament at the Rio Hondo Golf Club. Ayala had a tournament-leading five birdies on her round and holds a two-shot lead entering Tuesday's final round.

Jannel Calixterio of Academy of Art and Kiara Hernandez of Cal State San Marcos are tied for second after even-par rounds of 71.

Cal State LA is second after one round in the 16-player tournament, trailing Cal State San Marcos by three shots.

The Golden Eagles are hosting a tournament for the first time, one year after torrential rainstorm wiped out a scheduled home tournament in Pasadena in 2024.

There was no rain on Monday, although the tourney began under extremely foggy conditions that made visibility difficult until mid-morning.

Ayala had the round of the day, birdieing two of the first three holes to get to 2-under and recording three birdies on the front nine to make the turn in 1-under 35. She got to 2-under again after a birdie on the par-3 14th hole and, after taking a bogey on the par-5 15th hole, she made her fifth birdie of the day on the par-3 17th.

Morgan Sjoerdsma went out with a three-over-par 39 on the front nine and bounced back beautifully with an even-par back nine that included seven pars and a birdie at the par-5 15th. She is in a tie for 10th after the opening round.

Harley Richardson is also tied for 10th after a round of 74. She birdied the par-3 eighth hole to highlight her front nine of two-over-par 38 and she had a birdie on the par-4 13th to highlight her back nine of 1-over-par 36.

Daniela Andrade had a spectacular birdie on the par-3 10th hole, hitting her tee shot to within two feet and tapping in the birdie putt. She added a second birdie on the back nine on the par-4 13th and finished her round at 5-over-par 76.

Brenna Ozel had a birdie on the par-4 12th hole to highlight her round of 79.

The Golden Eagles also had three players competing as individuals. Carissa Freeman had a three birdies on her back nine, including a finishing birdie on the difficult par-4 18th hole as part of her round of 74. 

Lehape Veikune shot an even-par on the back nine, including a birdie on the par-5 15th hole. She was even par over the final 10 holes and finished with a 77. Sarah Amaya shot a round of 85, including a nice par on the tough 18th hole.

The second round will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

LA SPRING KICKOFF
At Rio Hondo Golf Club
Monday's Results
Team Results
1. Cal State San Marcos +6; 2. Cal State LA +9; 3. Academy of Art +15; 4. Cal State East Bay +16; 5. Sonoma State +17; 6. Cal State Monterey Bay +27; T7. Western Washington, Point Loma +28; 9. Vanguard +32; 10. Dominican +34; 11. Hawaii-Hilo +36; 12. Hawaii Pacific +37; 13. Westmont +40; 14. Chico State +43; 15. Seattle Pacific +47; 16. Jessup +53
Cal State LA Results
1. Joshlyn Ayala 69; T10. Morgan Sjoerdsma, Harley Richardson 74, Carissa Freeman (Ind) 74; 24. Daniela Andrade 76; 29. Lehapi Veikune (Ind) 77; 69. Sarah Amaya (Ind) 85