The William and Mary women's golf opened play at the 2012 Colonial Athletic Association Championships Friday morning, shooting 316 (+28) in the round to stand seventh with two rounds to go.  James Madison took the early lead with its 6-over 294, five strokes in front of Old Dominion.  In the race for the individual title, Nicole Sakamoto of JMU and Samantha Morell of ODU both shot 71 (-1) on the 6,066-yard par-72 course.

Leading the way for W&M was senior Kristen Hamel (Chesterfield, Mo.), who had three birdies on the day to shoot 78 (+6) and stand tied for 17th.  Freshman Kellie Edelblut (New Hope, Pa.) is one stroke back in a tie for 22nd, as is senior Caroline Sweet (Bowie, Md.).  Freshman Kelly Okun (Palm Beach, Fla.) carded a round of 80 to tie for 29th overall, and junior Betsy Birchall (Mountain Brook, Ala.) is in a tie for 32nd after her day of 81.

The CAA Championships are being hosted this year at the Reserve Club's St. James Plantation course, in Southport, N.C..  There are two more rounds still to play, with the winning team earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Regional round.

2012 Colonial Athletic Association Championships - 54 Holes
St. James Plantation - Par 72, 6,066 Yards

Team Standings
1. James Madison 294 (+6)
2. Old Dominion 299 (+11)
3. UNC Wilmington 300 (+12)
4. Xavier 302 (+14)
5. Georgia State 310 (+22)
6. Delaware 314 (+26)
7. William and Mary 316 (+28)
8. Richmond 325 (+37)
9. Hofstra 336 (+48)
10. Dayton 341 (+53)
-- Towson (three players)

Top Five Players
T1. Nicole Sakamoto (JMU) 71 (-1)
T1. Samantha Morell (ODU) 71 (-1)
T3. Shabril Brewer (JMU) 72 (E)
T3. Elizabeth Haycock (ODU) 72 (E)
T3. Sofia Hagsund (ODU) 72 (E)

W&M Players
T17. Kristen Hamel 78 (+6)
T22. Kellie Edelblut 79 (+7)
T22. Caroline Sweet 79 (+7)
T29. Kelly Okun 80 (+8)
T32. Betsy Birchall 81 (+9)