SANTA ROSA -- Cal State LA's women's golf team overcame a tough start and surged into the lead after the opening round of the Sonoma State Spring Invitational on Monday.

The Golden Eagles stumbled a bit out of the gates, but played brilliantly once they got their footing, jumping to the lead with a score of 10-over-par 298 at the Santa Rosa Golf Club. The Golden Eagles, who shared last year's title with Simon Fraser for the first-ever tournament victory in program history, hold a four-shot lead over Academy of Art and are seven shots ahead of tournament host Sonoma State.

Harley Richardson led the way for the Golden Eagles, firing a career-best 2-under-par 70. She is tied for second place after the opening round, three shots back of Menlo's Holly Obermuller. Richardson started her round with a double bogey on the par-4 third hole, but rebounded magnificently with five birdies over her next 17 holes to shoot up the leaderboard. 

Joshlyn Ayala held strong after a tough start that saw her go 3-over-par through six holes. She was even par over her final 12 holes with one birdie, one bogey and 10 pars to finish the opening round in a tie for 10th with a score of 75.

Brenna Ozel was 5-over-par through her first eight holes, but recovered to go 1-under-par over her last 10 holes. She had four birdies during that stretch and climbed into a tie for 15th place at 76.

Morgan Sjoerdsma also opened her round with a double-bogey and was 6-over-par at one point before a birdie on her final hole of the day left her in a tie for 20th after an opening-round 77.

Daniela Andrade also finished with a birdie at the last hole and finished in a tie for 31st with a round of 80.

Another bright spot on Monday was the play of sophomore Sarah Amaya, who is playing as an individual. She fired the best score of her Cal State LA career with an even-par 72 and is in a tie for fifth after the opening round.

The two-day tournament will conclude on Tuesday.

SONOMA STATE SPRING INVITATIONAL
At Santa Rosa Golf Club
Team Scores
1. Cal State LA 298; 2. Academy of Art 302; 3. Sonoma State 305; 4. Menlo 306; 5. Simon Fraser, Vanguard 309; 7. Chico State 312; 8. Northwest Nazarene 316; 9. Dominican 319; 10. Westmont 320; 11. Jessup 322
Cal State LA Scores
T2. Harley Richardson 70; T5. Sarah Amaya (Ind) 72; T10. Joshlyn Ayala 75; T15. Brenna Ozel 76; T20. Morgan Sjoerdsma 77; T31. Daniela Andrade 80