AUBURN, Ind. -- The Bradley women's golf team held a two-shot lead following Monday's first round of play at the IPFW Invitational being played at the Deer Track Golf Club in Auburn, Ind., but the Braves will not have a chance to win their second team title in three tries this fall after withdrawing from play.
Bradley shot a 308 during Monday's opening round and held a two-shot edge on second-place Oakland, which shot a 310 on the first day of play. Sophomore Bari-Lynn Erais and junior Rikki Sobel finished the day in a tie for sixth place after both fired 76 to lead the Braves. Oakland's Austin McDermaid is the individual leader heading into Tuesday's final round after carding a two-under par 69.
"The team's integrity was challenged and after a lengthy discussion amongst the team it was decided that we wouldn't finish out play tomorrow," head coach Bo Ryan said. "IPFW has been a very gracious host, but we feel because of the actions of one person toward a Bradley player that it would be in the best interest of all the teams involved if we withdrew."
Junior Whitney Cox ended the day tied for eighth place, shooting a 77, while senior Charlotte McGinnis rounded out the team scoring for the Braves with a 79 to finish the first round tied for 14th.
Bradley will close out the fall schedule Oct. 30 and 31, when the Braves play host the Missouri Valley Conference Preview at WeaverRidge Golf Club.