STOCKTON -- Cal State LA's women's golf team got off to a strong start Monday in the opening round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships.

The Golden Eagles, ranked 35th nationally and sixth in the West Region, shot a 6-over-par 294 and is in second place after the first of three rounds at The Reserve at Spanos Park. Joshlyn Ayala, who was third in the CCAA Championships last year, is in second place after firing a 3-under-par 69. She trails only Cal State San Marcos' Abby Sickles, who birdied the first eight holes of the day and finished with a 6-under-par round of 66. 

Cal State LA trails leader Cal State San Marcos by seven shots after the opening round. The Cougars, who have won all six previous conference tournaments, shot a 1-under-par 287.

Ayala was 1-over through 10 holes, but caught fire over the final  eight holes. She hit a 6-iron from 190 yards out to about five feet on the par-5 11th hole and made the eagle putt and followed with birdies on the par-4 12th hole and par-3 13th to vault into second place. She finished her round with five straight pars for a back-nine score of 32.

She also had birdies on the first two holes of the round, giving her four birdies and an eagle on the day.

Sarah Amaya, who finished in a tie for sixth at the CCAA Championships last year, is fifth after an opening round of 2-over-par 74 that included three birdies and a strong rebound late in the round. After a double-bogey on the par-3 15th, Amaya bounced back with birdies on the par-5 16th and par-4 17th to move into the top-five.

Rilee Crosby is in a tie for sixth after an opening round of 3-over-par 75. She had 15 pars, which leads the tournament field after one round.

Talia Gutman is in a tie for eighth place after an opening round of 4-over-par 76. She had a birdie and 14 pars during her first round.

Daniela Andrade is in a tie for 12th after an opening round of 6-over-par 78 that was highlighted by a birdie on the par-5 second hole.

The tournament will continue with the second round on Tuesday.

CCAA Championships
At The Reserve at Spanos Park, Stockton
Team Scores: 1. Cal State San Marcos 287; 2. Cal State LA 294; 3. Cal State East Bay 310; 4. Cal State Monterey Bay 313; 5. Chico State 330
Cal State LA Scores: 2. Joshlyn Ayala 69; 5. Sarah Amaya 74; T6. Rilee Crosby 75; T8. Talia Gutman 76; T12. Daniela Andrade 78