STILLWATER, Okla. – The Alabama Crimson Tide is one shot off the lead after the first round of the 2018 NCAA Women's Golf Championships on Friday. The top-ranked Tide (292) turned in a 4-over par round at the par-72, 6,328-yard Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla., and trails first round leader and sixth-ranked USC (291) by one shot heading to Saturday's second round.

"It was pretty solid," Alabama head coach Mic Potter said. "You can look at it and say we were at 7-under at one time but I think the front played a lot harder than the back and I also think the scores were a function of the wind picking up as well."

Alabama was led by junior All-SEC standout Cheyenne Knight (70) who finished the day at 2-under par and was one of just 10 golfers in the 132-woman field to shoot below par. Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest (65) leads the individual standings at 7-under par. Kupcho's score equals the women's collegiate course record at Karsten Creek.

"It was a good day today," Knight said following her round. "I hit a lot of fairways and greens and that gave me a lot of birdie opportunities. I was very mentally prepared and picked a lot of small targets. It feels good to shoot an under par round and see us in second place."

The Crimson Tide opened the day on the back nine and was at 7-under par at the turn thanks to Knight's 3-under par effort over the first nine holes and an eagle by freshman Angelica Moresco on the par-5 18th hole.

The front nine proved to be the trickier part of the course and the Tide was only able to convert three birdie opportunities over the last nine holes after rolling in 12 in addition to Moresco's eagle to open the day on the back nine.

"This course will jump up and grab you," Potter added. "You have to be patient, not get frustrated and take advantage of your opportunities along the way because you can get them here."

Sophomore Kristen Gillman (73) was the Tide's No. 2 finisher at 1-over par and is tied for 19th place. Junior Lauren Stephenson (74) is tied for 28th at 2-over par. Moresco carded a 3-over par 75 and is tied for 35th. Senior Lakareber Abe (76) is tied for 51st at 4-over par.

Following USC and Tide in the team standings are No. 3 UCLA (294) in third place at 6-over par, Kent State (296) in fourth place at 8-over par and No. 4 Duke (298) in fifth at 10-over par.

Alabama will open Saturday's second round beginning at 7:30 a.m. CT and will again be paired with Arkansas and UCLA.

NCAA Women's Golf Championships

Karsten Creek Golf Club

Stillwater, Okla.

Host: Oklahoma State University

Alabama Individual Results

T-4. Cheyenne Knight - 70 (-2)

T-19. Kristen Gillman - 73 (+1)

T-27. Lauren Stephenson - 74 (+2)

T-35. Angelica Moresco - 75 (+3)

T-51. Lakareber Abe - 76 (+4)

Team Standings

1. USC- 291 (+3)

2. ALABAMA- 292 (+4)

3. UCLA- 294 (+6)

4. Kent State- 296 (+8)

5. Duke- 298 (+10)

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