HOT SPRINGS, Va. (April 20, 2007) -- The Georgia State women's golf team opened the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association Championships at The Homestead (Old Course) with a 315 good for fourth-place overall.

The Panthers are nine-shots behind first-place UNC Wilmington.

"The golf course is playing fairly tough and we haven't played in the type of rough we are seeing," said head coach Cathy Mant. "I think we will better tomorrow after seeing the greens today. It's a tight race and we just have to get everybody to drop down some strokes."

Freshman Nicole Loesch led the Panthers firing an opening round of 77. Loesch is tied for sixth-place overall. Junior Joanna Klatten and freshman Cathrine Madsen are tied for 16th-place after firing a pair of 79s. Senior Pamela Torres and junior Karin Dedering are tied for 19th-place after a pair of 80s.

"I am proud of Nicole's effort today," Mant said. "She said she didn't hit it great but hung in there stayed away from the high numbers. Cathrine's and Nicole's performance shows that we have great potential for the future."

The Panthers begin the second round at 11:21 a.m. Saturday morning and are paired with William & Mary and James Madison.

CAA Championships
The Homestead (Old Course)
6,000 yards, Par 72
1. UNC Wilmington 306
2. Xavier University 311
3. Richmond, U. of 314
4. Georgia State Univ. 315
5. Wm. & Mary, Coll. of 319
6. James Madison Univ. 326
7. Towson University 336
8. Old Dominion Univ. 338
9. Hofstra University 346
10. Dayton, U. of 360

Individual Scores:
T6. Nicole Loesch Georgia St 39- 38 77
T16. Joanna Klatten Georgia St 39- 40 79
T16. Cathrine Madsen Georgia St 38- 41 79
T19. Pamela Torres Georgia St 39- 41 80
T19. Karin Dedering Georgia St 41- 39 80