BLUEFIELD, Va.— The Montreat women's golf program opened its fall team tournament slate on Monday and Tuesday with the Fincastle Intercollegiate in Bluefield, Va. Utilizing a two-round score of 728, the Cavaliers finished second out of five squads. The runner-up team placement marked the first instance in which the Cavs ended second in a tournament of three or more teams since March 4-5, 2019.
 
Reese Coltrane paced Montreat on day one as the Cavaliers combined for a 354 through 18 holes. Coltrane carded an 85 thanks to five pars and a birdie on the 17^th hole. Torie Yeomans also notched a birdie during the first round as she finished just two strokes back of Coltrane with a score of 87.
 
Three freshmen wrapped up the opening round for the Cavs. Hazel Martin turned in a 90, while Sara Rothrock and Emma Hall recorded a 92 and a 98, respectively.
 
"The ladies got off to a slow start to begin this tournament," said head coach Daniel Kehler. "Having three freshmen in the lineup, I believe the nerves got to them a little bit. But as we eased into the first round, it started flowing the way it was supposed to, and we never looked back. After 14 holes, we held the second spot and never gave it up despite being tested down the stretch."
 
Coltrane closed out day two as Montreat's top official finisher. Six pars, including five on the back nine, aided the Lincolnton, N.C. native in tallying a 92. In the end, Coltrane placed 11^th with her combined score of 177.
 
Martin wasn't far behind Coltrane thanks to her consistent play. A second-round 91 gave Martin a score of 181 for the tournament, good for 13^th overall. Yeomans ended the week 17^th after carding a 97 on Tuesday, bringing her two-day total to 184. Meanwhile, Hall (20^th, 192) and Rothrock (21^st, 197) finished back-to-back on the leaderboard after their second-round efforts of 94 and 105, respectively. As a squad, the Cavaliers turned in a 374 on the final day.
 
Hannah Stewart delivered a strong start to her season competing as an individual at the Fincastle Intercollege. A 91 and an 85 brought Stewart's 36-hole score to 176, the best among Montreat's student-athletes. Stewart ultimately placed 10^th in the 29-golfer field.
 
"I couldn't be prouder of this group of ladies and what they have accomplished early this season," Kehler added. "We look to continue to build off this next week in Tennessee."
 
For a look at the entire Fincastle Intercollegiate leaderboard, click here.
 
Montreat continues its fall tournament slate next Monday and Tuesday with the East Tennessee Collegiate at the Johnson City Country Club in Johnson City, Tenn.