Feb. 19, 2007

PARRISH, Fla. -- Northwestern's 25th-ranked women's golf team finds itself in a logjam on the leaderboard after Monday's play at the Central District Invitational, as the 'Cats sit in sixth but are only three shots behind third-place Texas.

Texas A&M and Michigan State are both well clear of the field after the first 36 holes, shooting 11-over 587 and 17-over 593, respectively. The next eight teams are all within seven shots of one another, with the 'Cats right in the middle of the action at 34-over 610 (304-306=610), 23 shots behind the Aggies.

Liliana Alvarez (Durango, Mexico/American School of Durango) picked up right where she left off this fall, shooting 3-over 147 (73-74=147) for the first 36 holes to lead the 'Cats. Alvarez is in good position to earn another top-10 finish as she finished Monday's play in a tie for fifth.

Texas A&M's Ashley Knoll leads the tournament at 4-under 140, seven shots ahead of Alvarez.

Sophomore Jennifer Hong (Windermere, Fla./The First Academy) and senior Alice Kim (Los Angeles, Calif./Brentwood) finished 36 holes one shot apart, with Hong in a tie for 29th at 10-over 154 (79-75=154) and Kim in a tie for 36th at 11-over 155 (77-78=155).

Brittany Johnston (Akron, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) shot an opening-round 75 and is tied for 48th at 13-over 157 (75-82=157). Rounding out the scoring for the 'Cats was senior Heather Scholten (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian), who shot a pair of 79's and is tied for 53rd with 18 holes remaining.

The final 18 holes begin at 7 a.m. CT Tuesday with a shotgun start. The Wildcats begin play on holes 6-10 as they look to make a move up the crowded leaderboard.

Live scoring for the final round of the Central District Invitational can be found at Central District Invitational.