PALM COAST, Fla. - For the first time in program history, the University of Northwestern Women's Golf team is competing for a National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship. Despite three appearances in the NCAA National Championship, UNW has never been able to qualify for the NCCAA Championship through what was previously its only available route: winning the NCCAA North Central Regional. This season, Northwestern amended its NCCAA at-large bid policy, which allowed the scorching-hot Eagles to accept an at-large bid and participate in the tournament. You can follow all the action from Hammock Beach Resort's Conservatory Course all week here.

Day One

The only member of the team familiar with the NCCAA National Championship and Hammock Beach Resort entering the week was Morgan Eckman (Jordan, Minn./Jordan), and it showed. The junior, who competed as an individual in the event in her first two collegiate seasons and earned All-America honors both times, lit up the Conservatory Course on Monday morning. Eckman played a flawless front nine, shooting a one-under 35, and finished the day with a score of 75 (+3), putting her in second place and two shots behind the leader. Bri Brandt (Blaine, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy) also finds herself in the top 10, tied for seventh after turning in an 82 (+10). UMAC medalist Paige Johnson (Zimmerman, Minn./Homeschool) is tied for 18th through 18 holes after carding an 85 with two front-nine birdies, while Sondra Albrecht (Ham Lake, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy) used a birdie on the par-five ninth hole to shoot 91 (+19). Brielle Lenz (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) is just behind Albrecht at 92 (+20). As a team, UNW is in fourth place with a score of 333 (+45), 16 strokes behind the leader and eight behind second-place.

The Eagles will begin second round play at 9:25 AM local time (8:25 AM CT) on Tuesday.