Led by a pair of 70s (-2) by junior Iliska Verwey and sophomore Charlotte Lorentzen, nationally 44th-ranked Georgia State women's golf finished tied for 10th at the end of the first round of the NCAA East Regional at the par-72, 6,321 yard Ironwood Country Club's Lee Trevino course in Greenville, N.C. Thursday.
"I was really pleased to see [Verwey] shoot an under par round today. The course is conducive to some low rounds," said Georgia State head coach Cathy Mant. "The girls hit the ball really well today but just missed some putts. I think we're in a good position and I'm pretty pleased."
Verwey rose to the occasion on Thursday, firing her first under-par round since fall 2008's Edwin Watts/Palmetto Intercollegiate. The Cradock, South Africa native posted a pair of 35s, with three birdies in the opening round, giving her a share of 10th place heading to Friday.
Verwey is poised to set a new personal best in NCAA Regional play. Her previous best came in 2008 with a tie for 27th at the NCAA East Regional in Athens, Ga.
"Iliska worked really hard over Christmas with her coach. She came back and dedicated herself to being in shape personally and with her golf game," said Mant.
"Her body language was great today and we want to keep seeing that for the next two rounds. I'm excited for her to be able to put that score up. Hopefully she'll carry it through and post some of those great low numbers she's capable of."
Sophomore Charlotte Lorentzen's strong play from the Colonial Athletic Association championship carried over to the opening round of the NCAA Regional as the Soroe, Denmark native carded an opening round 70 (-2) that featured two birdies and 16 pars.
Lorentzen led the Panthers at last year's NCAA Central Regional, earning a share of 20th place with a three-round total of 229 (+8). At the end of the first round, Lorentzen sits in a tie for 10th alongside teammate Verwey.
Senior Cathrine Madsen opened her tournament with a 73 (+1) to pick up a share of 43rd place. Madsen played her usual brand of steady golf, bogeying only two holes and birdying the par-four 10th hole.
The Herning, Denmark native's previous best at an NCAA Regional came last year with a tie for 66th with a 239 (+18).
Making her NCAA Regional debut, freshman Ellie Robinson battled through an injured wrist to card a 77 (+5) to wrap up the scoring for the Panthers. Robinson earned a top-10 at the CAA Championship, her first collegiate postseason appearance.
The Middlesbrough, England native was nearly a late scratch for the NCAA East Regional, as she developed a cyst on her wrist over the spring schedule. At the end of the first round, Robinson is tied for 94th place overall.
Senior Sandra Maier came in with an 81 (+9) to finish the first day in a tie for 115th place. Maier is coming off of her second career All-CAA Second Team mention and a top-20 at the conference championship.
"Today's the first round Ellie has played since conference," said Mant. "She hit the ball pretty well but just didn't make any putts. And I think Sandra's arm is hurting a little more than she's letting on. The girls are going in for treatment in the evening trying to keep it together, but I'm very proud of their effort."
Georgia State's first round 290 (+2) gives them a share of 10th place in the team competition. To earn the school's first-ever NCAA Championship berth, the Panthers need a finish of eighth or better. Currently, the eighth spot is occupied by Tulane, East Tennessee State, and Texas Tech five shots ahead of the Georgia State with opening rounds of 285 (-3).
Auburn leads the regional after firing an opening round 280 (-8). East Tennessee State's Nina Muehl leads all individuals with a first round 64 (-8).
"Last night we had a meeting," said Mant. "This is an opportunity to make history for Georgia state. All that I can ask is that the team gives 100% effort and avoids taking this opportunity for granted. That's all I can ask and I think they did a great job of that today."
Teams will be repaired for tomorrow's second round, with teams going off the front and back nines beginning at 8 a.m.
Live scoring for the second round will be available at www.GolfStat.com with scores being updated every three holes. Full results and details will be posted to www.GeorgiaStateSports.com at the close of competition.
T10. Charlotte Lorentzen 70 (-2)
T10. Iliska Verwey 70 (-2)
T43. Cathrine Madsen 73 (+1)
T94. Ellie Robinson 77 (+5)
T115. Sandra Maier 81 (+9)
1. Auburn 280 (-8)
2. Pepperdine 281 (-7)
T3. South Carolina 283 (-5)
T3. Tennessee 283 (-5)
5. Florida 284 (-4)
T6. Tulane 285 (-3)
T6. East Tennessee State 285 (-3)
T6. Texas Tech 285 (-3)
9. TCU 287 (-1)
T10. Duke 290 (+2)
T10. Georgia State 290 (+2)
12. Vanderbilt 292 (+4)
T13. East Carolina 293 (+5)
T13. Chattanooga 293 (+5)
15. North Carolina 294 (+6)
16. Wake Forest 296 (+8)
T17. Campbell 297 (+9)
T17. College of Charleston 297 (+9)
19. Stetson 298 (+10)
T20. Washington 305 (+17)
T20. Furman 305 (+17)
22. Coastal Carolina 307 (+19)
23. Charleston Southern 315 (+27)
24. Fairleigh Dickinson 327 (+39)
