March 11, 2006
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Senior Ashley Grier led the way for UCF in Saturday's morning round of the Lady Gator Invitational with a 2-over-par 72 and junior Holly Boot paced the Golden Knights in the afternoon with a 6-over-par 76 as UCF posted scores of 309 (+29) and 322 (+42) and finished the first day in 13th place.
Host Florida leads the strong field of 14 teams at 23-over-par heading into Sunday's final round. The Gators are 10 shots ahead of Purdue at 33-over-par, while Alabama is in third at 37-over-par. Michigan and Michigan State round out the top five at plus 38 and plus 39, respectively. UCF was tied for ninth after the first round of the day Saturday, but had its troubles in the second round and dropped four spots in the team standings.
The Gators' Mallory Blackwelder and Georgia State's Lisbeth Meincke are tied for the individual lead at 3-over-par. Grier followed up her morning round with a 12-over-par 82 and dropped from a tie for sixth to a tie for 33rd. She is UCF's leader through two rounds. Boot managed to rebound from 66th-place, after an opening 82, to tie for 50th after closing with a 76.
Junior Lauren Motyl is tied for 60th at 20-over-par, one shot ahead of junior Kristy McLaughlin, who is tied for 62nd. Freshman Mayule Tomimbang is tied for 71st at 27-over-par.