PRESCOTT, Ariz. --- Facing winds of up to 30 miles-per-hour and some very challenging greens and opponents, Biola Men's Golf rose to meet each an every obstacle on Monday during day one of competition at the Embry-Riddle Co-Ed Invitational.

Through one full round the Eagles sit just seven shots behind tournament leader Arizona Christian, while Austin Bishop carded a -1 (71) to place himself just one stroke back from the individual leader.
 
The teams began a second round on Monday, but could not play it to completion. Those scores and the third round will all come in at the end of play on Tuesday as the tournament finishes up at Talking Rock Golf Club.

"If the scores weren't enough to motivate them, sitting several shots off the lead with their rivals struggling is," said Head Coach Max Allen. "All the guys talked about was being ahead in the second round (which is yet to be completed) and improving on their day one performances."
 
Bishop doesn't have a whole lot to improve on during play on Tuesday. He roared out of the gates during Monday's first round, recording a -4 score through his first seven holes. A similar start on Tuesday could propel him into the individual lead.
 
Samuel Shih was another pleasant performance for Allen's team on Monday. The junior came into the clubhouse with a 75 (+3) and was a part of a three-way tie for sixth place in the tournament leaderboard.
 
"Sam shot 75 and it displayed how he has grown as a competitor," said Allen. "In a round where scoring was tough he took the stress off himself by setting simple goals of hitting fairways and greens. When scoring is hard it is so easy to try and do the most you can on every shot, but that will get you into more trouble."
 
Completing the Eagles' round of 307 was Kyle McAbee (79 – 16^th), Cameron Bauer (82 – 23^rd) and Dominic Ariondo (83 – 26^th). The 307 put Biola just seven strokes back from ACU, one stroke back from Embry-Riddle and 13 strokes ahead of the next closest competitor heading into the final 36 holes.
 
"We are chasing and that is a thrilling position to be in while our opponents are looking back at us trying not to lose," said Allen. "As a coach and player I do not fear an opponent who can hit the ball far or hit the ball accurately. I fear the player who craves the big moments -- and Biola Men's Golf is craving the big moments."
 
Allen's team teed off at 8:00 a.m. this morning in a shotgun start that began the final day of competition. The forecast for Prescott is 71 degrees and sunny with 8mph winds.