ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. ---  Biola concluded the opening round of the Nick Turner Invitational in a tie for second place Monday at the Arroyo Del Oso Golf Course. 

The Eagles' performance placed Biola (296) just four strokes shy of first place No. 6 St. Mary's (292). The 296 is the third-lowest team tally in a single round in program history. Head Coach Jane Carr was proud of the initial effort in one of the toughest fields Biola has ever been in. Biola entered this tournament to face off against some of the best NCAA Division II competition from the Lone Star Conference. 

As a team, the Eagles set a goal of breaking 300 this fall, and today they accomplished that feat. 

"To do something like that you have to have four solid rounds in the 70's," commented Carr. "We've been knocking on this door for the past several weeks, this team is going to continue to open eyes this spring."

Biola was once again led by Brady Turnquist (71) who finished her day at one under par. The sophomore sits tied for third on the individual leaderboard out of 78 golfers
after one day of competition.

Turnquist continues to open eyes across the country. On the 15th hole the sophomore sunk an incredible 40-foot putt to secure an eagle, the first of her collegiate career.

"It was really fun to watch Brady today," said Carr. "Every tournament she continues to gain confidence." Although Turnquist continues to impress, Carr thinks she's still got more in the tank. "When she gets in her zone, she is one of the fiercest competitors I've seen in collegiate golf."

Rachel Shaw (73) added to Biola's low 70's scores as the freshman quietly went about her business on the course today. Shaw broke even on the front-nine and shot just one-over par on the back nine while ending her day with a birdie on the 18th hole. 

The 73 was the best first-round score for the freshman this year. She's averaged a seven-stroke improvement from round one to round two through the first two tournaments this year, so a strong first round was good to see.

"She's sneaky good," said Carr. "Rachel is a very low key unassuming player that just quietly makes birdies and pars."

Shaw was one of just 13 players to have three or more birdies in the first round. 

The veteran of the squad, Sami Penor, carded a round of 75 to give the Eagles three scorers below the mark and three in the top-20 after the first round. Penor sits tied for 19th overall, behind Shaw's seventh-place sitting and Turnquist's third.

Lauren Lee (77) and Melanie Reyes (78) rounded out the team scorecard for the Eagles.

Mary Grace Davidson competed as an Individual for Biola. The sophomore carded a round of 81 and sits tied in 50th place on the individual leaderboard. 

Scores aside, Carr loves what she is seeing from her team this fall. 

"This group really enjoys each other," said Carr. "They joke, they laugh, they just love hanging out with each other on and off the golf course."  

Carr's is a team that wants to play well not just for themselves, but for each other and for their coach.

The Eagles return to Arroyo del Oso Golf Club on Tuesday for round two of the Nick Turner Invitational. For live scoring, follow along on Golfstat. Biola tees off at 8:30 a.m. local time, 7:30 a.m. PT.