Germino posts two eagles for a three-under 69, one shot off the pace; Marshall also breaks par with one-under 71

AUSTIN, Texas – The Kent State women's golf team benefited from three solid rounds from its trio of seniors to turn in a team score of 293 in the first round of action at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational, hosted by the University of Texas. The Golden Flashes are tied with No. 37 Tulsa, eight strokes back of first place at five-over par.

Senior Mercedes Germino (Necochea, Argentina) turned in a three-under 69 on Monday, marking just the second time she scored in the 60s as a collegian. Providing fireworks to her first round were a pair of eagles on the course's front nine: Germino holed out from about 120 yards on the par-4 No. 1 and then followed up with a long putt on the par-5 No. 5.

Fellow senior Shamira Marshall (Macedonia, Ohio) had a consistent round on Monday, posting her second-best score of the fall with a one-under 71. Marshall birdied two of the course's four par-5s and added another birdie on the par-3 No. 2. Marshall is tied for seventh overall heading into the second round.

Senior Mandi Morrow (Kent, Ohio) started Monday even par through the first nine holes, and aided by a pair of birdies on the day, she finished with a two-over 74. Morrow is in 26th place in the 81-golfer field.

Sophomore Erin Hawe (Walton, New Zealand) was hampered by six-over 42 through her first nine holes, but was able to regroup and went one-over on the front nine, including a birdie on the par-4 No. 7. Hawe finished with a seven-over 79, placing her in a tie for 61^st.

Freshman Jennifer Ha (Calgary, Alberta) struggled to find her groove on Monday and carded an eight-over 80 to finish the first round in a tie for 67^th. Junior Jackie Yanch (Barrie, Ontario), playing as an unattached individual, also shot an eight-over 80 on the day.

Germino is one stroke off the tournament lead, set by Florida's Evan Jensen. The Gators lead the host Longhorns by three strokes and are the lone team below par heading into Tuesday's action.