GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Avery Bartels is leading the 89-golfer field and the North Dakota State women's golf team after the opening 18-holes of the Bobcat Desert Classic at the Golf Club of Estrella on Monday afternoon.

Bartels fired a career-low 67 to open the tournament, which is tied for the third-lowest single round in Bison history.  The sophomore carded just one bogey in the round on the fourth hole and closed the front nine with an eagle on hole eight and a birdie on nine. Bartels then added three more birdies and six pars to finish -5 on the day, holding a lead of two strokes going into round two.

Hannah Dunk (71) and Jeri Lafleche (72) also sit inside the top 10 after the first round. Dunk, who is playing as an individual, was even through 14 holes on the day and picked up three birdies to finish -1. Lafleche fired a team-high 15 holes at par with a birdie on holes four and 14 to finish the round at an even par. Dunk is currently in a tie for third, and Lafleche tied for eighth, heading into the middle round.

Cora Larson (76) and Madi Hicks (76) wrap up the Bison scorers for the first round. Larson recorded birdies on holes four and six with 12 pars on the day, and Hicks logged 13 even holes with a birdie on the 12th. The pair of Bison seniors are tied for 34th place at +4.

Bella Leonhart (75) and Norah Roberts (79) are the final golfers for NDSU at the event. Leonhart carded two birdies in the back nine to finish +3 on the day to sit in a tie for 28th place. Roberts is in a tie for 58th after finishing +7 for the round.

The Bison (291) are in fourth place in the 13-team tournament after recording a round of +3 to start the event.

The full results can be viewed here.

The Bobcat Desert Classic will continue with round two on Tuesday, with tee times scheduled for 9:30 a.m. CT.