The Oregon women’s golf team opened their season last week with a 21st-place finish at the NCAA Fall Preview at the 6,312-yard par-71Meadows Course in Sunriver, Ore.
After a first round that left the Ducks 24 strokes above par and in last place, the team rebounded in the second round, shaving 10 strokes off their first round score and climbing to 18th place overall.
The women were aided by clutch play from senior Johnna Nealy, who played exceptional on the back-nine and finished with a 2-over-par 73. Nealy would finish the second round tied for 30th overall.
The Ducks shot a third and final round 3-under-par 281 giving them a 912 total which placed them just behind Washington State (911). Duke carded a final round 3-under-par 281 to finish first in the tournament with a score of 858. The Blue Devils narrowly defeated Washington (864) and Oklahoma State (866). UCLA (876), the defending 2004 national champions, finished the tournament in eighth place.
The final round saw sophomore Erin Andrews shoot a team-best 1-over-par 72 in the final round of the event . The Las Vegas native finished tied for 52nd with a 12-over-par 225.
Sophomore Kim McCready also helped lead the Ducks in the final round, finishing with a 3-over-par 74, and tying for 48th overall with an 11-over-par 224.
Karin Sjodin of Oklahoma State led the field by shooting a 1-over-par 72, placing her one stroke ahead of Louise Stahle of Arizona State. Sjodin finished the tournament with a 7-under-par 206.
The Ducks play next at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational on Oct. 4.

Scott Adams is a freelance reporter for the Daily Emerald.