Gaffney's 83 leads Simpson at Central

PELLA, Iowa - Playing one of its toughest courses of the season, the Simpson women's golf team sits in third place of six teams after shooting a 366 on the first day of the Central Invitational at Bos Landen Golf Club.

Central leads the tournament at 347, followed by Grinnell at 352. Coe is in fourth, trailing Simpson by 11 strokes (377).

Carding the lowest back nine score of the day, Jennifer Gaffney goes into tomorrow's final round tied for second. After a 44 on the front nine, the Iowa State transfer fired a 39 on the back, tying her with Central's Sarah Paulson with an 11-over 83.

Mallory Messin of Grinnell leads the field by a stroke after a first-round 83.

Jennifer Stumpf shot a 92 (47-45), good for sole possession of 12th place. Taylor Hillery cracked the top-15, tying for 15th with a 95 (49-46). Molly Hill is tied for 17th with a 96 (47-49) and Stacy Bergeson shot a 99 (45-54), good for a tie for 22nd.

Saturday's second and final round begins at 9 a.m. from Bos Landen.