Thatcher Tied for Lead at Matador Spring Invitational :: Senior fired a 75 and is tied with three other golfers

April 7, 2008

MOORPARK, Calif. - In her final collegiate competition, Utah Valley senior Echo Thatcher is tied for first after shooting 75 in the opening round of the Matador Spring Invitational at Tierra Rejada G.C. on Monday.

The Wolverines are tied for fifth in the team competition, combining to shoot 324 and tied with Cal State San Marcos. The team score of 324 is the second lowest round of the year and the lowest of the spring.

"Overall the team played very well. It's very encouraging to see," said head coach Denise Larson. "Echo was so solid from the very beginning. She kept right on track and was steady and in control of her game. To have her be in position to win in her final college round is huge for her."

Thatcher is tied with three other golfers who hold a one-stroke lead heading into Tuesday's final round. Jennifer Bermingham of UC Riverside, Portland's Kristin Howell and Cal Poly's Hannah Brabb are the three others that all shot 3-over 75 on Monday.

In the team chase, Portland (310) holds a two-shot lead over both Cal Poly (312) and UC Riverside (312) while Northridge is also in striking distance at 314.

Kasey Larson shot a 79 and is tied for 12th while Abbie Lei Archibald (84, t-37), Ashley MacKay (86, t-42) and Sarah Coop (89, t-53) round out the Utah Valley scores.