April 19, 2008

Results

SILVER CITY, New Mexico - All five Western Washington University players are among the top 11 in medalist play with Lianne Matkin (So., Spokane/Northwest Christian) leading by one stroke, and the Vikings are second, just four shots off the lead, after first-day play Saturday at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Women's Golf Tournament being played at the Silver City Golf Course.

Sunday's final round begins at 8 a.m.

The Vikings, tied for No.16 in the latest Golf World/National Golf Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Coaches Top 25, shot 317. Host Western New Mexico, ranked No.20 nationally, is the leader at 313. Defending champion Mesa State CO is a distant third at 338 in the 11-team field.

"Western New Mexico is one of the quality teams in our (West) region, and the main reason we're here is that we get to play with them both days," said Western coach Bo Stephan. "We knew that they would be tough on their home course, and it's a tricky little golf course and there's definitely a lot of local knowledge involved."

"But I wasn't displeased with our round. Lianne played great and we were a decent finish from Allison (Gillette) and Catherine (Kim) on the last hole away from being outstanding."

Matkin, who had two birdies and two bogeys, shot an even par 72 and is one shot ahead of Western New Mexico's Tina Bickford. The Mustangs' Erika Willis is third (77) and Rebekah Berve is tied for fourth (80) with Fort Hays State's Shelby White.

The Vikings' Allison Gillette (Sr., Seattle/Ballard) shot 81 and is in a five-way tie for sixth that also includes teammate Kaitlin Parker (Jr., Burlington/Marysville-Pilchuck).

Western's Catherine Kim (Sr., Bellevue/Skyline) and Breanna Carmichael (So., Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) each shot 83 and are tied for 11th.

Western, which has won four of eight regular-season tournaments, is coming off a winning effort two weeks ago at the Chico State Invitational.