HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, FLA. — The Catholic University women's golf team teed for its opening round of the 2023 NCAA DIII National Championship at the Mission Inn Resort and Club on Tuesday afternoon.

As one of the last teams to go out with a 12:10 p.m. tee time, the Cardinals finished in 27th place overall with a combined score of 370 (+78). Catholic began on the first tee of the 5,823-yard, par-73 course paired with fellow East Coast programs Westminster (Pa.) and SUNY Cortland.

Head coach Ed Dolan leads one of the youngest teams at the national tournament, starting three freshman and two sophomores. Although Catholic competed at the 2021 National Championship two season's ago, the only returning player from that team is current assistant coach Mary Colella.

Brooke Smith led the way for the Cardinals, carding an 89 (+16). The freshman struggled through the first seven holes, posting a score of +12, but did well to right the ship. She played the final 11 holes of her round at just +4, producing seven pars.

It was the same story for Lauren Wright, who played the front nine at +13 and the back nine at +5 for an 18-hole score of 91. Wright showed great resolve to respond after playing her opening four holes at +9.

Lauren Lombardo and Avery Mrak each carded 95s (+22) while Tyler Zierski rounded out the scoring for Catholic with a 109 (+36). Mrak posted Catholic's only birdie of the day on the 343-yard, par-4 11th hole.

After 52 holes, the tournament field will be cut to the top 15 teams and ties. Emory leads after day one with a score of 315 (+23), three strokes better than George Fox.

The Cardinals will be one of the first teams on the course tomorrow morning, scheduled to tee off at 7:20 a.m.