YORK, Neb. – Sophomore golfer Victoria Farkas celebrated her 20^th birthday on Monday by firing a first-round 81, good for a share of the lead at the midway point of the York Fall Invite at the York Country Club.

Farkas' round included a birdie on the par-4 No. 5. She shares the 18-hole lead with Micaela Suhl of Park University (Mo.). The teams will conclude the tournament with 18 more holes on Tuesday.

"Victoria had a great round,'' CSM Coach Keri Rodriguez said. "It's even more special since it's her birthday!''

CSM shot a team score of 347 and ended day one in third place out of the six entries. Park led the way with a 336, followed by the Concordia University 'A' team (338), CSM, Mount Marty University (349), Hastings College (371) and the Concordia 'B' team (407).

"We knew going in that this would be a tough course – large, undulating and lightning-fast greens,'' Rodriguez said. "It definitely lived up to the hype. We had a strong start on the front nine, but the wheels came off the bus on the back. Too many lost balls, avoidable mistakes and penalty strokes added up quickly.''

Also for the Flames, Emily Faubel is tied for ninth place after an 87, Katie Freeman is tied for 14^th after an 88, Erika Headlee is 18^th after a 91 and Sofia Chavez is tied for 21^st after a 95.

"We've played better before and we will again – tomorrow,'' Rodriguez said.