TIFFIN, Ohio - Led by an 82 from senior Ali Metzger, the Allegheny women's golf team sits in fifth place in a 15-team field after the opening round of the two-day Heidelberg Invitational at the Mohawk Country Club.

The 82 marks the best round for Metzger on the young season, as the four-year standout will enter Sunday's final round at Mohawk just one shot behind individual leader Lilly Dunning of Wooster.

As a team, the Gators totaled 370 on the opening day, one shot ahead of sixth-place Earlham, and just two strokes behind fourth-place Ohio Wesleyan. Led by Dunning's effort, Wooster totaled 339 to hold the team lead, followed by Mount St. Joseph (357) and Ohio Northern (361). Dunning is one of four Fighting Scot golfers to sit in the top-20 of the 83-player field. 

Rookie Emily Stelman carded the Gators' second best round of the day, shooting 93 to sit in a three-way tie for 21st. Fellow first-year Izzy Krzys shot 96 to sit in 26th place, while a third rookie, Tori Downey, rounded out Allegheny's scoring four with an opening round 97 to sit in a tie for 33rd.

Freshman Lauren Mahany is a fifth Gator to sit in the top half of the field, as she closed day one in a five-way tie for 41st with a round of 99, one stroke ahead of junior Lindsay Benko.

The second and final round of the invitational gets underway on Sunday, Sept. 16 with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.