Montana State Leads Bobcat Desert Classic Through 18 Holes

Monday, April 13

Goodyear, Ariz.

Montana State University

Bobcat Desert Classic - Day 1

Photo by: Brian Morse

Montana State Leads Bobcat Desert Classic Through 18 Holes

4/13/2026 3:57:00 PM | Women's Golf

Day 1 Results

Ashleigh Wilson, Eva Heinz card 71s to lead Bobcats in a tie for third place

By: Pershelle Rohrer

GOODYEAR, Ariz. --- The Montana State women's golf team started strong at the Bobcat Desert Classic at the Golf Club of Estrella on Monday, posting a team score of 1-under 287 to take a two-stroke lead following the tournament's opening round.

Ashleigh Wilson and Eva Heinz led the Bobcats with rounds of 71 to share a tie for third through 18 holes. Lauren Greeny joined the duo in the top 10 by carding an even-par 72 to tie for eighth on Monday, while Maddie Montoya sits tied for 18^th thanks to her round of 73.

"A solid first round today – always a good day when you are below par," Montana State head coach Brittany Basye said. "I thought we started off a little slow, maybe too hesitant, and then they settled in and started making birdies. It's a team effort with this group, and they are sticking to the game plan. It's nice to see hard work paying off for them. Tomorrow is a new day and a new round of golf, and I am excited to see what they accomplish for round two. Lots of golf left!"

Montana State counted a pair of 71s from Wilson and Heinz, a 72 from Greeny, and a 73 by Montoya on Monday to open the tournament. Wilson went bogey-free on 16 of 18 holes, highlighted by 13-straight holes shooting par or better. She sunk birdies on holes 6, 12, and 18 in a strong round for the Cats. Heinz shot par or better for 10-straight holes across Nos. 7 through 16 in her opening round, highlighted by three-consecutive birdies on holes 8 through 10. Greeny tallied birdies on holes 10, 14, and 16 while finishing her final seven holes bogey-free. Montoya sunk a team-high four birdies while shooting par or better on six-straight holes from No. 8 through No. 13.

Sailor Graham, who is competing individually at the Bobcat Desert Classic, carded four-straight pars to open her round and added birdies on Nos. 11 and 15 to post a 75 for a share of 28^th place in her opening round. Norah Seidl and Lauren Nau, who is also competing individually, hold a share of 42^nd place thanks to rounds of 77 on the par-72 course.

At 1-under 287, the Bobcats hold a two-stroke lead over Seattle U, which finished the day at 1-over 289. Weber State is close behind in third at 2-over 290, while North Dakota State and Portland State round out the top five with respective scores of 3-over 291 and 5-over 293.

North Dakota State's Avery Bartels (5-under 67) holds a two-stroke lead over Seattle U's Zoe Rubichon (3-under 69) on the individual leaderboard. Five players share third place thanks to their rounds of 1-under 71, with Portland State's Cynthia Valerie Ong and Maddie Dustin; North Dakota State's Anna Dunk; and Montana State's Wilson and Heinz sitting just four strokes behind the leader with 36 holes to play.

Montana State will open the second round of the Bobcat Desert Classic in an 8:30 a.m. MDT/7:30 a.m. MST shotgun start on Tuesday. Live scoring is available at scoreboard.clippd.com.

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