University of Arizona Athletics

TUCSON, Ariz. -- It was a long and difficult day for the field at the Wildcat Invitational, but the defending national champion and host Wildcats find themselves just one shot back of the lead.
 
Senior Haley Moore was able to fight off the elements on day one of the tournament, posting scores of 70 and 76 to finish the day in a tie for 7th. Fellow senior Bianca Pagdanganan carded rounds of 75 and 74 to end the day in a tie for 12th. Pagdanganan almost didn't have her clubs to compete with, as they arrived from Australia on Sunday evening. 
 
Freshman Ya Chun Chang joined Pagdanganan at 5-over, collecting three birdies in each round. Sophomore Yu-Sang Hou sits in a tie for 22nd after rounds of 74 and 77. Junior Sandra Nordaas hit some impressive iron shots in windy conditions to finish the day at 9-over. Senior Desiree Hong is competing as an individual and is currently tied for 75th at 16-over.
 
"The team really struggled today," said head coach Laura Ianello. "Sadly we didn't take full advantage of home course advantage. We had some really big numbers, but the conditions out here are insanely tough. I think tomorrow, going into the final round, we just need to go back to our plan, and strategize which holes we need to be cautious, which holes to be aggressive. We need to come out tomorrow with a good attitude, believe in ourselves, and know that we can play really well on this golf course, then we can bring home a victory tomorrow. Everybody on the team is really playing well lately, so I would just love for them to come out tomorrow and believe in themselves and show us what they've got." 
 
The final round will begin tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. MST at Sewailo Golf Club.
 
For more information about the Arizona women's golf team, follow @ArizonaWGolf on Twitter and at ArizonaWildcats.com.
 
Team Leaderboard
T1. UNLV (+18)
T1. Iowa State (+18)
3. Arizona (+19)
4. Oregon (+23)
5. Arizona State (+24)
6. Denver (+25)
7. San Diego State (+28)
8. Oregon State (+31)
9. Purdue (+34)
10. New Mexico State (+39)
11. Fresno State (+40)
12. Long Beach State (+43)
13. Michigan (+45)
14. Grand Canyon (+46)
15. New Mexico (+48)
T16. Iowa (+55)
T16. Northern Arizona (+55)
 
Player Leaderboard
T7. Haley Moore (+2)
T12. Bianca Pagdanganan (+5)
T12. Ya Chun Chang (+5)
T22. Yu-Sang Hou (+7)
T31. Sandra Nordaas (+9)
T75. Desiree Hong (+16)