TRAVELERS REST, S.C. — Chrissy Popovich led the way for the Belmont Abbey women's golf team Monday as the Crusaders opened play Monday at Cherokee Valley Country Club.

Popovich opened the tournament with a 79 which was good for a tie for third place individually following the first 18 holes of play. She is tied with two others for third while Ella Wiklander is tied for seventh after opening play with an 81 at the Cherokee Valley Spring Bash hosted by North Greenville.

It is the final tournament of the regular season for the Abbey before the Conference Carolinas Tournament next weekend.

The Crusaders sent two teams to the tournament with Belmont Abbey A sitting in third place with a 328 and Belmont Abbey B in sixth with a 349. The Abbey trails host NGU by one shot (327) and by 21 to Shorter (309).

The tournament concludes with the final round Tuesday with tee times beginning at 8:30 a.m. The full leaderboard can be found here. 

BELMONT ABBEY RESULTS
3. Belmont Abbey A—328
T-3. Chrissy Popovich, 79 (+7)
T-7. Ella Wiklander, 81 (+9)
T-19. Paeton Phillippi, 84 (+12)
T-19. Lilianna Carcel, 84 (+12)
T-32. Bridget Forgatch, 88 (+16)
T-35. Katie Kubec, 89 (+17)*

6. Belmont Abbey B— 346
T-17. Kyleigh Whittemore, 83 (+11)
T-22. Kate Nyers, 85 (+13)
T-35. Ashlan Tresca, 89 (+17)
42. Bethany Welch, 92 (+20)
46. Madison Srinivasa, 96 (+98)

*competing as an individual