ST. GEORGE—Valentina Zuleta carded an even-par 72 on Friday to lead the Utah Valley women's golf team in the opening round of the SUU Pizza Hut Lady Thunderbird Invitational at Sunbrook Golf Club. She sits in a tie for second place on the 77-player individual leaderboard, just one stroke off the lead.

As a team, Utah Valley posted a 24-over-par 312 and is in 10th place in the 12-team field. UC Riverside leads the tournament after firing a 5-over-par 293.

Zuleta recorded three birdies and 12 pars in her opening round to finish even par, trailing only Stetson's Julieta Oviedo (-1).

Rylie Rodriguez sits in a tie for 45th after shooting a 7-over-par 79, recording 12 pars on the day. Maria Ortiz is tied for 54th following an 8-over-par 80, which included 11 pars.

Millie Terrion finished the round at 9-over-par 81, placing her in a tie for 58th, while Lily Shin, competing as an individual, shot a 10-over-par 82 and is tied for 60th.

Utah Valley continues play on Saturday with round two of the 54-hole tournament, beginning with a shotgun start at 10 a.m.