TAMPA, Fla. – The 19th-ranked Saint Leo women’s golf team posted a first round 301 as the Lions currently lead the 2011 NIU Snowbird Intercollegiate after 18 holes as Jordan Hatch also currently sits in first place in the tournament hosted by Northern Illinois University and played at the Pebble Creek Golf Club on Thursday.

Coming out of the gates to lead the 11-team field, the Lions 301 nearly tied a program record for lowest round as Saint Leo currently leads second-place Longwood University by two strokes.

“I couldn't be more pleased with the entire team's effort today,” Head Coach Erika Brennan said.  “It’s wonderful to watch them put together a round and shoot the types of numbers they are capable of.”

Leading the Lions, and the entire tournament, is senior Jordan Hatch, who tied the mark for a program-best round with a 1-under-71 after round one.  Hatch is currently a stroke ahead of Southern Illinois’ Cassie Rushing.

Also in the top-5 for the Lions is freshman Heather Petronis, whose first-round, 3-over-75 sees her in fourth place.

After her outstanding performance last week, junior Goeun Lee repeated her performance with a top-10 result, posting a seventh-place, 4-over-76.  Tricia Maloney’s first-round 79 has her in 16th place heading into Friday’s final round.

Senior Suzanne Ervin rounded out the Lions’ group as she posted a first-round 81 and sits in 26th place.

Playing as an individual, senior Kristina Carvalho finished round one in 33rd place with an 18-hole-83.

Brennan concluded, "While it’s always nice to sleep on a lead, the reality is that we have to play another solid 18 holes if we want to finish on top. Tomorrow we need to come out strong and keep the momentum going in our favor."

Brennan will look to keep her Lions at the top of the tournament field when they tee off the final round at 8:30 a.m.