Knights First, Sealy Second After Opening Round at AAC Championship

April 19, 2015

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By Bill Morrison
UCFKnights.com

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PALM COAST, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - With the opening round of the 2015 American Athletic Conference Championship in the books, the UCF women's golf team is in first place, holding a one-shot lead over ECU.

Conditions were ideal Sunday at the Hammock Beach Ocean Course. UCF Senior Monifa Sealy led the Knights, carding a two-under par round of 70. Sealy is tied for second among individuals.

"I've been here for four years and we always come in second place," Sealy said. " I really, really want it this year. No matter what happens, I'm going to do everything in my power for us to win it this time."

The Knights started slow but put together a total of 16 birdies before the day's end. UCF led the field by as many as six strokes before ECU battled back to within one.

UCF head coach Emily Marron said the Knights executed a solid game plan. Seeing the course previously, in several different conditions, was key.

"We know at Hammock Beach, anything can happen," Marron laughed. "So we are just taking it one day at a time. I'm really proud of how we played today. I think having experience at this course really helped."

Sophomore Ashley Holder and freshman Laura Sojo also finished in the top 10. Sojo is tied for 7th and Holder is tied for 10th. Sophomore Ayaka Nakayama is tied for 19th, while senior Fanny Cnops is tied for 26th.

Ashley Burke of USF sits alone atop the individual leaderboard after turning in a 67 (-5). Burke's effort set a tournament record for a single round and has the Bulls in third, just three shots back of the Knights.

Second-round action is slated for 8 a.m. ET Monday.

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