GREENVILLE, N.C. – Georgia State shot a second-round 11-over 299 and stands tied for fifth with 18 holes to play at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate. The Panthers opened play in the morning round with a 306, but moved up the leaderboard thanks to senior Maria Palacios record-tying round.
Palacios made four birdies in her second round to shoot a 3-under 69, matching a career-low from the season-opening Cardinal Cup last year. She stands tied for fourth place entering Tuesday's final round, just three-strokes off the lead.
The teams will play the final 18-holes on the par-72, 6,004-yard Greenville Country Club Tuesday with the Panthers trailing by just nine-strokes.
“I was extremely proud of the way the team bounced back in the afternoon,” head coach Cathy Mant said. “Because of the way we rebounded in the second round, we still have a chance to win tomorrow and continuing to climb the leaderboard.
“I really like this team our team and the direction of the program right now. They show some fight and determination. Maria played incredible in the afternoon and I am glad to see she is back to her old self and playing some great golf.”
Palacios opened the day with a 4-over 76, before improving by seven-strokes in the afternoon.
Senior Laura Sanchez shot a pair of 75s on the opening day and stands tied for 13th at 6-over. Her morning round included an eagle at the par-5, 435-yard ninth hole. Sanchez made a pair of birdies during the afternoon round.
Sophomore Julie Lied is tied for 37th following rounds of 78 and 77. Lied made five birdies over the course of two rounds.
Junior Lauren Court opened the day with a 77 and shot 79 in the afternoon to stand tied for 40th at 12-over.
Senior Melissa Siviter rounded out the Panthers line-up with rounds of 79 and 79. Entering Tuesday's final round, Siviter is 13-over and tied for 47th.
No. 43 East Tennessee State leads after 36 holes by one-stroke at 20-over par. Host East Carolina is second at 21-over, followed by Middle Tennessee in third at 22-over. Old Dominion is currently fourth at 23-over, followed by the Panthers and Penn State in fifth at 29-over.
Middle Tennessee's Avery George leads after 36 holes at 2-under. George shot 67 in the afternoon. Chattanooga's Jordan Britt is second at 1-under, followed by East Tennessee State's Vivienne Chin in third at even par. Palacios is tied for fourth with Maryland's Juliet Vongphoumy at 1-over.
The teams will once again utilize a shotgun start for Tuesday's final 18-holes at 8:30 a.m. Live three-hole scoring will be available at Golfstat.com.
Following Tuesday's action, Georgia State will return to the course Oct. 27-28 for the final event of the fall, the Edwin Watts/Palmetto Intercollegiate in Kiawah Island, S.C. It will mark the fifth time since 2006 that the Panthers made it to the event, winning it in 2008.
