RIO VERDE, Ariz. ? Freshman Breanne Neufeld (Coaldale, Alberta/Coaldale) shot a first-round 74 and is tied for 13^th overall to help lead the Bradley women's golf team to a 12^th place showing after 18 holes at the Rio Verde Invitational at the par-72 Rio Verde Country Club.

The Braves carded a first-round 309 to finish the first day of play in 12^th place in the 18-team field. Bradley is 18 shots behind Texas Tech, which shot a three-over par 291 to open play on Friday.

Neufeld turned in the low-round of the day for the Braves with a first-round 74 and is tied for 13^th place heading into Saturday's second round. Junior Bari Erais (Lethbridge, Alberta/Lethbridge Collegiate Institute) carded a 78 during Friday's opening round and is currently tied for 40^th place. Senior Rikki Sobel (Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield) matched Erais' first-round 78 and is also tied for 40^th place.

Senior Whitney Cox (Edmonton, Alberta/Harry Ainlay) is one shot behind Erais and Sobel in a tie for 53^rd place after firing a first-round 79. Freshman Caitlin Deeken (California, Mo./California) turned in an 82 during Friday's opening round and is tied for 79^th overall. Junior Lauren Downing (Rockton, Ill./Hononeagh) rounded out the scoring with a 93 and is 106^th on the individual leaderboard heading into Saturday's second round.

Texas Tech shot a three-over par 291 and holds a three-shot lead over 20^th-ranked Notre Dame after 18 holes of play. The Fighting Irish are (294) are followed by Arkansas-Little Rock (298) in third place. Minnesota and Missouri Valley Conference rival Illinois State are tied for fourth at 300, while Eastern Michigan is sixth at 303.

Western Michigan, Toledo and Northern Arizona are each tied for seventh place after shooting 305 in the first round, while Ball State is two shots back in 10^th place at 307. Wisconsin is one behind Ball State in 11^th place at 208 and the Braves follow in 12^th place at 309. Missouri State and Cincinnati are tied for 13^th at 311. Bowling Green shot a first round 316 and is 15^th overall, with Southern Illinois in 16^th at 318. Xavier finished day one in 17^th after shooting 320 and Ohio rounded out the team scoring in 18^th at 328.

The Braves continue action at the Rio Verde Invitational Saturday with one round of play.