Song powers USC to lead in NCAA women's finals

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OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) -- Southern California freshman Jennifer Song shot a 1-under 71 on Thursday to take a two-stroke lead in the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship and help the Trojans top the team standings.

Song, one of three Southern California players in the top 20, had an even-par 216 total on the Caves Valley course. Purdue's Maria Hernandez (72) and UCLA's Maria Jose Uribe (77) were tied for second at 2 over.

"We are mentally and physically prepared," Song said. "We've been preparing for this event for one year and all of my teammates are really ready and pumped up. We've been having a lot of second places and I think this is our chance to win."

Southern Cal had a 26-over 890 total for a one-stroke lead over top-ranked Arizona State. No. 2 UCLA was three strokes back at 29 over.

"Our overall goal was to improve each day and I know we moved up and are now in first," Southern California coach Andrea Gaston said. "You just have to go out there and play this golf course. If the opportunity for birdies is out there, you have to go get them. We're still going to have to play really great golf tomorrow to win this. We can't just go out and protect this."

Southern California's Belen Mozo (73) and Lizette Salas (75) were tied for 15th at 7 over, and Caroline Kim (79) was tied for 57th at 16 over.