NORMAL, Ill. – The FGCU women's golf team got off to a strong start Sunday, Sept. 4 at the Redbird Invitational hosted by Illinois State. After 36 holes, the Eagles carded a team total of 599 (+23) and will enter the final round tomorrow, in third place among the 14-team field.
 
FGCU shot a team score of 299 in the opening round and followed it with a 300 in the afternoon session to get to its first-day total of 599. The Green and Blue accounted for two of the day's three eagles and totaled 23 birdies as a team. FGCU's score stands just two strokes behind Boston College and Northern Illinois, who are tied for first in the tournament at 597 (+21).  Butler and host Illinois State are in fourth and fifth with scores of 604 (+28) and 607 (+31) respectively, while Bradley, Southern Illinois, Ball State Bowling Green and Western Illinois round out the top-10.
 
"Today was a bit of a roller coaster for us," said head coach Sarah Trew. "We made far too many doubles and triples, but we were able to back it up with 23 birdies as a team and two eagles. I think we got a little bit tired and made some silly mistakes, but at the end of the day, we are in contention and that's all we can ask for. I am fully confident this team knows how to adjust after today while still focusing on the positives. I saw some really exciting things out there, and if we can play a little bit smarter tomorrow, we will end up in a good position."
 
Sophomore Madeline Marck-Sherk (Ridgeway, Ontario/Ridgeway Crystal Beach HS) led the way for The Green and Blue, ending the day tied for seventh after carding a four-over par 148. Marck-Sherk shot 74 in both rounds and gave FGCU its first eagle of the season in the afternoon session on hole 14.
 
Freshman Katie Williamson (Deerfield Beach/Blue Valley North HS) and senior Megan Blonien (Altus, Okla./Altus HS) also finished the day in the top-10 with a plus-five score of 149. Williamson carded the lowest FGCU round on the day with a 72 in the afternoon session, but the highlight of the second round came when Blonien carded an eagle on the 18th hole.
 
Junior Madison Easterbrook (Burlington, Ontario/Adlershot HS) recorded a top-30 finish with a score of 154 (+10) on the day, while freshman Ailsa Clark (Navarre, Fla./Navarre HS) rounded out the Eagles' slate, carding a 161 (+17).
 
FGCU LINEUP
T7 – Madeline Marck-Sherk 74-74 = 148 (+4)
T10 – Megan Blonien 75-74 = 149 (+5)
T10 – Kate Williamson 77-72 = 149 (+5)
T29 – Madison Easterbrook 73-81 = 154 (+10)
T63 – Ailsa Clark 81-80 = 161 (+17)
 
COMPLETE FIELD (#=2015-16 final Golfstat Ranking)
T1. #156 Boston College: 306-291 = 597 (+21)
T1. #147 Northern Illinois: 296-301 = 597 (+21)
3. #140 FGCU: 299-300 = 599 (+23)
4. #190 Butler: 299-305 = 604 (+28)
5. #240 Illinois State: 302-305 = 607 (+31)
6. #141 Bradley: 310-299 = 609 (+33)
7. #155 Southern Illinois: 304-309 = 613 (+37)
8. #170 Ball State: 310-311 = 621 (+45)
T9. #165 Bowling Green: 313-310 = 623 (+47)
T9. #220 Western Illinois: 316-307 = 623 (+47)
11. #214 Drake: 310-314 = 624 (+48)
12. #164 Ohio: 308-317 = 625 (+49)
13. #227 Evansville: 310-316 = 626 (+50)
14. #189 Loyola: 315-314 = 629 (+53)
 
Final-round action for the Redbird Invitational is set to begin Monday morning, and live scoring is available throughout the day at Birdiefire.com or by clicking here.