NEWTON, Kansas (10/19/09) - Despite windy conditions the Mean Green women's golf team played their way to a lead after day one of the Shocker Invitational Monday afternoon.

Five of North Texas' six-woman roster finished in the top 20 after the first 18 holes of play. As a team the Mean Green shot a 307 and hold an eight stroke lead over second place Wichita State and a 15-shot lead over third place North Dakota State.

"I am more impressed with this team every time we hit the course," North Texas head coach Jeff Mitchell said. "Under very windy, difficult conditions, they found a way to post a solid team score. Individually, there was a lot of birdies and a lot of well played holes. This is one of the top 10 best public courses in the country and this team did a great job of navigating it on a tough weather day."

Senior Jordan Rose led the way for the Mean Green on Monday, notching a 75 (+3) and sits in second place individually. Rose trails only North Dakota State's Amy Anderson, who shot a 73 (+1). Fellow senior Maggie Noel played nearly as good by shooting a 76 (+4) and is tied for third place. Addison Long played one of her better rounds of the young season as well with a 77 (+5) and is tied for sixth.

Senior Janna Golden (T-9^th) also sits in the top 20 after a round one of 79 (+7). Kelsey Kipp (T-18^th) rounded out the Mean Green scoreboard. The sophomore carded an 83 (+11) in round one.

"Jordan is playing some of the best golf of her career and Addy (Long) is continuing her strong play and Maggie has gotten back into form," Mitchell said. "Tomorrow should be a good test of the progress we have made."

Tuesday's final round will begin at 9 a.m. (CT) with a shotgun start at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas. Results will be posted to MeanGreenSports.com as they become available.