Sophomore Charlotte Lorentzen posted a 71-73-144 (+2) to finish day one with a share of third place, leading Georgia State women's golf to tie for first place at +18 through 36 holes at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate in Greenville, N.C. Monday.
"I'm really proud of the girls," said Georgia State head coach Cathy Mant. "We held a team meeting after the last tournament, to discuss why our first rounds have been so bad. We came up with some ideas and implemented them today. I don't know whether that was the answer or not, but the meeting got some good thought processes going. I'm glad to see the girls playing to their full potential, and we're looking for a victory tomorrow."
Lorentzen made it through round one in third place and held onto her spot with a 73 in the afternoon round at the par-71, 5,939 yard Greenville Country Club. The Soroe, Denmark native is five shots behind Elon's Tara McFadden (-3) and three shots back of East Carolina's Abby Bools (-1), looking for her first career victory.
Senior Cathrine Madsen also made a top-10 appearance, finishing the day in a tie for sixth with rounds of 72-74-146 (+4). Madsen is looking for her third top-10 in four events this season.
In the team event, Georgia State squandered a three shot lead after the first round to fall into a tie for first with East Tennessee State at +18. The Panthers fired 293-293-586 over the first two rounds.
Junior Iliska Verwey bounced back from a rough outing at the Eat A Peach Collegiate two weeks ago. Shelving the driver for this week's event, Verwey sits in a tie for 15th place at 76-74-150 (+8). Verwey is the reigning champion at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate.
"I told her the driver was staying in the van," said Mant. "I think it was the culprit the whole time. I just don't think it fits her, so we got rid of it for this week. She hit the ball much better today, and her scores show that. When we get a chance we'll find one that fits her a little better and we'll be good to go. She's doing much better right now. She's a happy camper again. The team was glad to see her turn it around today."
Senior Sandra Maier finished the day one shot out of the top-25 posting 74-78-152 (+10). Freshman Ellie Robinson rebounded in the afternoon round after a difficult morning 18, carding 81-72-153 (+11) to earn a share of 31st.
Georgia State and East Tennessee State have a three shot advantage over their nearest competition, East Carolina (+21). The Panthers also lead Colonial Athletic Association rivals Xavier (+28), James Madison (+40), William & Mary (+40), and Old Dominion (+61).
"We're happy that we've met our goals for this tournament so far," said Mant. "We're going to see if we can finish on a high note and defend our title tomorrow. I'm proud of the girls, they worked hard, they were really grinding today."
Georgia State will open their final round tomorrow morning with tee times beginning at 8:35 a.m. Live stats are available for the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate at www.GolfStat.com. A full recap of the final round will be posted at www.GeorgiaStateSports.com.
T3. Charlotte Lorentzen.....71-73-144 (+2)
T6. Cathrine Madsen.........72-74-146 (+4)
T15. Iliska Verwey............76-74-150 (+8)
T27. Sandra Maier............74-78-152 (+10)
T31. Ellie Robinson............81-72-151 (+11)
T1. Georgia State.............293-293-586 (+18)
T1. East Tennessee St. ....296-290-586 (+18)
3. East Carolina................296-293-589 (+21)
4. Xavier.........................301-295-596 (+28)
5. Elon............................302-298-600 (+32)
6. UNC Greensboro............302-301-603 (+35)
T7. James Madison............310-298-608 (+40)
T7. Michigan....................308-300-608 (+40)
T7. William & Mary............303-305-608 (+40)
10. UTEP........................308-301-609 (+41)
11. Maryland...................305-306-611 (+43)
12. Georgetown...............312-307-619 (+51)
13. Miami........................317-305-622 (+54)
14. Old Dominion..............312-317-629 (+61)
15. Gardner-Webb............317-313-630 (+62)
