Valparaiso’s women’s golf team sits in fifth place after the opening 18 holes of the 54-hole Horizon League Championships which began on Friday at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

The Crusaders posted a first round score of 343, and are just five strokes behind fourth place Cleveland State.  Valpo is also three shots ahead of sixth place Youngstown State (346) and 13 ahead of Green Bay (356).  Detroit holds a three-shot lead over Loyola (Chicago) after shooting 324 on Friday while Butler is third, seven in back of the lead.

Erika Pfaender (Pewaukee, Wis./Arrowhead H.S.) led the way for the Brown and Gold in round one, shooting a five-over par 78 on the 5,884-yard, par 73 layout.  She is currently in fourth place after 18 holes.  Brianna Davy (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) and Kelly Voigt (Palatine, Ill./Fremd H.S.) each posted 88s while Michelle Kleckner (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale H.S.) carded an 89.  Jessica O’Brien (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) shot 103 on day one of competition.

Youngstown State’s Samantha Formeck holds the individual lead by one shot after posting a first round 74.

Valpo will return to the links for round two of competition on Saturday morning.  The first tee time is slated for 6:30 a.m. CDT.