LAKE JOVITA, Fla. -- Barry freshman Nicky Ferre shot a 1-under 71 in the opening round of the Saint Leo Invitational to claim a share of the lead with Nova Southeastern All-American Abbey Gittings Monday at Lake Jovita Country Club.
"I couldn't be happier with the way Nicky's grinded," Buccaneers coach Shannon Sykora said. "She really wants to improve."
Ferre's 71 is tied for sixth all-time in Barry history for lowest round.
The Buccaneers sit in fourth place after shooting 308 on the 6,140-yard, par-72 course. Lynn holds the lead after three Fighting Knights shot 1-over 73 en route to a 296 team score. Nova Southeastern is second, four strokes behind Lynn. Host Saint Leo is third at 302.
Barry's Nancy Vergara, Taylor Babcock and Maria Paola Fiorio each shot 79, and are tied for 22nd. Daniela Murray shot 82, and is tied for 39th.
Ferre leads the tournament in par-4 scoring at 3.90. She sank four birdie putts, which is tied for second in the event behind Gittings' five. Babcock was tied for second in par-3 scoring at 2.75. Lynn's Louise Manalo leads that category at 2.50.
Lynn's Jessica Bradley, Ellen Chambers and Samantha Smolen each shot 73, and are tied for third individually.
Barry tees off beginning at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday for the final round of the tournament. The Bucs will be partnered with Flagler College and Florida Southern in Tuesday's final round.
"We've just got to play a solid round tomorrow so we can move up the board," Sykora said. "We're still in it. The girls that shot 79, that's probably three swings. They definitely feel like they left a few shots out there. We're just going to be patient."
2012 Saint Leo Invitational
Dates: 10/15-10/16, 2012
Round: 1
* Individual
Par-Yardage: 72-6140
Fin. Top 20 Teams Scores
1 Lynn University 296
2 Nova Southeastern U. 300
3 Saint Leo University 302
4 Barry University 308
5 Florida Southern 312
6 Flagler College 313
7 Florida Tech 319
8 Columbus State 326
9 Florida Southern B 327
10 Mount Olive College 331
11 Tampa, U. of 345
12 Webber International 366
13 Johnson & Wales U-FL 379
14 Eckerd College 383
Fin. Top 20 Players School Scores
1 Nicole Ferre Barry (Fl) 37- 34 71
Abbey Gittings Nova SE 35- 36 71
3 Jessica Bradley Lynn 38- 35 73
Ellen Chambers Lynn 38- 35 73
Samantha Smolen Lynn 38- 35 73
6 Ragna Olafsdottir Saint Leo 40- 34 74
Clare Connolly Saint Leo 40- 34 74
8 Laura Huertas Saint Leo 38- 37 75
Liliana Cammisa Nova SE 37- 38 75
10 Barbara Vejlupkova Fl. South. 38- 38 76
Kendra Bishop Tampa 37- 39 76
Julie Loennechen Mt. Olive 37- 39 76
Linnea Johansson Nova SE 40- 36 76
14 Kimesha Anthony CSU 39- 38 77
Megan Kiley Fl. South. 42- 35 77
Louise Manalo Lynn 39- 38 77
17 Daniela Ortiz Nova SE 41- 37 78
Jessica Hook FL Tech 39- 39 78
Nicole Keyser Flagler 41- 37 78
Olivia Ferrer Flagler 39- 39 78
Stephanie Tucker Flagler 39- 39 78