The women's golf team started yesterday with high hopes, but erratic play forced the team into a tie for third place, seven shots off a surprising Arizona State squad.

The Wildcats started the day solidly, but mistakes loomed large during the back nine, pushing Arizona back in the field.

"It's our home course and we looked to come out and make a statement the first day," head coach Greg Allen said. "We didn't take charge of the tournament the way we would have liked to."

Despite the rough day, Arizona is still within striking distance. Erica Blasberg carried the team, shooting a 2-under par 69, continuing her amazing freshman campaign, and senior Laura Myerscough shot an even-par 71.

"I had sort of a scrappy round," Myerscough said. "Nothing seemed to go, but with three birdies and a lot of pars, I kept everything in control."

Arguably the most impressive showing of the day was from UA freshman Cassandra Kirkland who went out on the 6,238 yard par 71 layout in her first collegiate tournament of her career and posted a 1-over par 72, putting her in a tie for sixth place after the first day.

The freshman from France is playing the tournament as an individual, but the pressure of her first tournament didn't look to faze the National Elite Athlete for 2001 and 2002.

Blasberg's round put her alone at second, a place the young Wildcat is becoming more comfortable with week in and week out.

"I had one bad hole, but other than that I played very well." Blasberg said, "On the first few holes, I was right on."

Allen said that despite the seven-shot deficit, he is confident.

"The first day you are just looking to put yourself in position," Allen said. "That's where we are."

With the added fire of Arizona State leading the tournament individually and as a team, UA has more than a home-course advantage to think about the rest of the week.

Out of the Bunker·

Katherine Hull, the Pepperdine golfer that overtook Blasberg for the number one ranking last week posted an opening 76 to put her a tie for 28th place ·

Sophomore Erin Tone of Arizona State lowered her previous best round by 5 shots with a 3-under 68 to take the lead ·

Blasberg made the Arizona Invitational the fourth tournament of the year with her name in the top 10 after the first day.