WATERLOO, Ill. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis women’s golf team fired an opening-round 302 at the 2012 Great Lakes Valley Conference Women’s Golf Championship and holds a seven-stroke advantage over Drury and Indianapolis at Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo, Ill. The Greyhounds and Panthers,who were led by Katrina Choate’s 1-under-par 71, each recorded a 309 to sit tied for second, while Southern Indiana (320) and Lewis (326) round out the top five.

Competitors were able to record an average of 13 holes on Saturday before severe weather forced them off the course for the night. Round one resumed play at 8 a.m. this morning.

Illinois Springfield (326), Northern Kentucky (333) and Bellarmine (337) take up spots sixth through eighth, respectively. William Jewell, which brought only four golfers to the play-five, count-four-scores event, originally finished ninth, but lost Chelsey Williamson in its lineup after she was disqualified for not signing her scorecard following the completion of round one. With three golfers eligible for scoring, the Cardinals will finish 13^th in the event with only their second round of 18 as their team score.

Rockhurst (354), Kentucky Wesleyan (356), Saint Joseph’s (377) and Quincy (389) rounded out the field.

Individually, Drury’s Choate owns a two-stroke advantage over Vanessa Philips of Lewis, who carded an opening 73. Missouri-St. Louis’ Bailey Hopper and Daniela Viotti join UIndy’s Darin Pinnick one shot back at 74, tied for third. Maryville’s Kayla Eckelkamp, who is competing as an individual this weekend and considered one of the favorites to challenge for the title, leads a host of four golfers tied for sixth at 76.

The second and final round is underway following a shotgun start at 11 a.m.