McCormick, S.C. – Behind top-five days from Abby Franks and Ellie Jane Riner, the University of North Georgia (UNG) women's golf team sits in first place after the first two rounds of the Savannah Lakes Fall Invitational. 

The Nighthawks jumped out to a hot start, finishing the opening round at four-under par before closing round two at five-over par to finish the day at one-over. Out of the 18-team field, North Georgia was the only team to finish a round under par on Monday. 

Anderson sits in second place at six-over par, while Erskine rounds out the top three at 11-over. 

UNG came out firing Monday morning, posting a trio of under-par scores in the opening round. Franks paced the Nighthawks with a 70 (-2), holding the top spot on the individual leaderboard for a portion of the opening round. Mackenzie Connell and Camryn Wright followed with matching scores of 71 (-1), each recording three birdies on the back nine. 

Riner's even-par 72 and Leigh Allen's eight-over par kept the momentum on North Georgia's side heading into the second round.  

Riner kept her foot on the gas in round two, carding a 71 (-1), jumping four spots into the top five. Franks maintained her top-five position after posting a one-over-par 73 in the second round. 

Connell and Wright each carded a 75 (+3) in round two to finish the day tied for 14th, while Allen climbed 15 spots on the individual leaderboard after closing with a 74 (+2). 

The Nighthawks will look to maintain their position atop the leaderboard in Tuesday final round as they pursue their sixth regular-season tournament title in program history.