Long Beach State athletes are used to dealing with the heat, but with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees all day long, the No. 15 seed Long Beach State women’s golf team finished day one at the NCAA West Regional in a six-way tie for 13th place.  The 49ers recorded an 11-over par 299 at the Karsten Golf Course on the campus of Arizona State University.

The top seeded Sun Devils was the only team that finished under par today as they fired a 15-under 273 to hold a comfortable 15-stroke lead over three teams that are tied for second place, Arizona, Texas and Texas A&M.

Senior All-American Kay Hoey and freshman Lee Lopez finished the day tied for 32nd with a one-over 73.  Hoey made two consecutive birdies on the Nos. 5 and 6 holes and committed just three bogey’s for the round.  Lopez pared through the front nine with one birdie at the No. 8, while recording three more birdies on the back nine that included two bogeys and one double-bogey at the No. 18.

Sophomore Reina Rogers finished third for The Beach as she tied for 67th with a four-over 76.  Rogers carded four bogey’s for the day.

Junior Brenda Chhuor tied for 81st with a five-over 77 with two birdies for the day.

Sophomore Lindsey McAtee finished with a 12-over 84 as she’s currently tied for 105th.

Belen Mozo of Southern California leads the field of 108 players with a six-under 66 and holds a one-stroke lead over Jane Chin of UC Irvine and Carlota Ciganda of Arizona State.

“I think we played rather well considering the late start time and the hot temperatures,” said head coach Sue Ewart.  “We could have done better, but we just got tired towards the end.  I like where we are sitting as we’re still in the hunt with two days left.  If we can come out tomorrow morning and post some good scores then we’ll be in a good position for Saturday’s final round.”

The 49ers will tee off at 7 a.m. as they’ll start second round play at the No. 10 hole.  Live action of the NCAA West Regional can be followed at www.golfstat.com.

From LBSU reports