VISTA, Calif.---The Biola women's golf team heated up at the Fujikura Invitational, finishing second of 15 teams after the first two rounds with a combined two round team score of 607.

"This was one of our strongest starts this season," reflected head coach Jane Carr. "Our players were just steady today. While there were some scattered birdies it was really a story of just making a lot of pars." 

Carr continued, "This tournament has some highly ranked D2 teams and I couldn't be prouder of where our team sits after the first two rounds. Today was a long day on the course, but they never gave up and just kept to the process." 

Biola trailed the invitational's team leader and WGCA's nationally-ranked No. 16 Cal State San Marcos by eight strokes (599). 

The Eagles and  UT Tyler tied for the lowest second round of the field, both scoring 307. Biola's second round of 307 was three strokes better than first place CSU San Marcos' second round of 310.  

Rachel Shaw led Biola with a two-round score of 149 which tied her for fourth on the leaderboard. The Junior carded two-above par 74 in her first round and then three-above-par 75 in her second. 

Shaw led the field in par-scoring, recording 28 pars. She thrived at par three holes where she averaged 2.88.

Shaw is five strokes behind the tournament's leading individual from CSU San Marcos, Madison Murr, who recorded par twice (144).

Brady Turnquist and Theresa Shaw tied as BU's next-best scorers. Turnquist and Shaw recorded combined scorecards of 152 which tied them for 13th place. 

Turnquist earned a first round score of two-above par 74 and then recorded 78 in her second round while Theresa Shaw carded 76 twice. Additionally, Turnquist led the Eagles with six birdies.

Melanie Reyes was Biola's next-best individual who recorded 158 over the two rounds which tied her for 39th. Following Reyes was Abigaile Morris (T64, 164).

Emily Cons and Hailey Hays competed as individuals. Hays earned a two-round score of 162 which tied her for 55th and Cons earned 165 which tied her for 69th. 

Biola has one round to go tomorrow, Tuesday Mar. 12 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Shadowridge Golf Club.

"Our players have their sights on winning another conference championship," concluded Carr. "And being able to keep pace with some of the top teams in the nation is giving them even greater confidence."