Blue Raiders in second at Samford Intercollegiate

ONEONTA, Ala. - With two rounds in the books at the Samford Intercollegiate at Limestone Springs Golf Club, the Middle Tennessee women's golf team is just two strokes off the lead after carding a 298 in the first round and a 305 in the second on Monday.

Florida Southern currently leads the nine-team event at 25-over.

Individually, two Blue Raiders are in the top 10, led by Ashley Haggard, who ended the first day of play at five-over after carding an even-par 72 and a 77 to sit in a tie for fifth in the 58-player field.

Karisa Akin isn't too far behind, shooting a 76 and a 74 to finish at six-over and tied for ninth.

"Karisa and Ashley were both hitting it pretty well today," head coach Chris Adams said. "Karisa came back from a stretch of bogeys with three straight birdies at one point. Ashley started the second round with back-to-back birdies and ended it with one as well. The whole team is really battling and hanging tough. I'm looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow."

Olivia Love shot a four-over 76 in the morning round, and shaved a stroke off the total in the afternoon to move into a tie for 12th at seven-over.

Allie Knight recorded one of two Blue Raider eagles on the day in the opening round, and finished in a tie for 18th at nine-over.

Haley Cothran, who is making her collegiate debut in the line-up, is tied for 46th at 18-over.

Steph Gough, who posted the other eagle, is tied for 44th at 17-over, and Stephanie Smith is at 16-over and sitting in a tie for 41st. Both are competing in the event as individuals.

The final round of play at the Samford Intercollegiate will begin Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. Live scoring will not be available.

TEAM SCORES (of nine)
1. Florida Southern - 298-303=601 (+25)
2. Middle Tennessee - 298-305=603 (+27)
3. Samford - 305-305=610 (+34)
3. ULM - 303-307=610 (+34)
5. Troy - 307-306=613 (+37)
6. Newberry - 315-300=615 (+39)
7. Jacksonville State - 313-304=617 (+41)
8. South Alabama - 304-319=623 (+47)
9. UAB - 328-324=652 (+76)

MT SCORES (of 58)
T5. Ashley Haggard - 72-77=149 (+5)
T9. Karisa Akin - 76-74=150 (+6)
T12. Olivia Love - 76-75=151 (+7)
T18. Allie Knight - 74-79=153 (+9)
T46. Haley Cothran - 80-82=162 (+18)

T41. Stephanie Smith - 80-80=160 (+16)
T44. Steph Gough - 81-80=161 (+17)

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