LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The University of Idaho women’s golf team takes a four-stroke lead into the second round of the Price’s Give ‘Em Five Intercollegiate after opening the annual tournament with a team total two-over 290.

“We hit the ball extremely well off the tee,” coach Lisa Johnson said. “As a team, we played great.”

Leilanie Kim led the way with a one-under 71, which is good enough for a tie for third after a round that included three birdies and two bogeys. In a tie for 10^th, are Rachel Choi, Kaitlyn Oster and Kristin Strankman at one-over 73. Cassie McKinley is tied for 17^th at two-over 74. Choi, Oster and Strankman had up-and-down ventures around the golf course with Choi and Oster having four birdies to go with five bogeys, and Strankman with three birdies and four bogeys.

As solid as the Vandals were Monday, Johnson said it could have been better.

“Everyone on the team left the course feeling like they left some strokes out there; they feel like they could have scored better,” Johnson said. “It’s fun to be at the top of the leaderboard but we have a lot more to do still.”

Kansas is four strokes behind the Vandals in second at 294 with Washington State third at 296.