Monday, April 13
Goodyear, Ariz.
Montana State University
vs
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
Ashleigh Wilson, Eva Heinz card 71s to lead Bobcats in a tie for third place
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.
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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 18th thanks to her round of 73.
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"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!"
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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.Â
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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 28th place in her opening round. Norah Seidl and Lauren Nau, who is also competing individually, hold a share of 42nd place thanks to rounds of 77 on the par-72 course.
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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.
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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.
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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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Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State women's golf team, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsGolf. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
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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 18th thanks to her round of 73.
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"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!"
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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.Â
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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 28th place in her opening round. Norah Seidl and Lauren Nau, who is also competing individually, hold a share of 42nd place thanks to rounds of 77 on the par-72 course.
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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.
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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.
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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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Follow the Bobcats
For the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Montana State women's golf team, follow the Bobcats on Twitter and Instagram at @MSUBobcatsGolf. Information on the Montana State athletic program can be found online at msubobcats.com or by following the Bobcats on Twitter at @MSUBobcats, Instagram at @MontanaStateBobcats, and on Facebook at Montana State Bobcats.
Players Mentioned
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