Butler freshman Rachel Johnson birdied a quarter of the holes played Monday, giving her the individual lead and pacing the Bulldogs to the team lead after the opening day of the Butler Fall Invitational.
 
Johnson ended her first round at even-par 70, utilizing three birdies on her scorecards. After opening her second round with a double bogey, she responded with six birdies to card a 2-under 68 and take the individual lead at two-under 138. On the day, she birdied nine of her 36 holes.
 
Johnson is two strokes ahead of Kylee Heidemann from Dayton, who turned in scores of 72 (+2) and 68 (-2) through her first two rounds.
 
The Butler freshman's play spearheaded the Bulldogs' Monday effort as the team holds a 15-shot advantage after 36 holes. The Bulldogs combined for a 36-hole total of 571 (+11). Austin Peay is second (586) and Ohio is third (590); there are 14 teams in the field.
 
Brooklynn Bohnert and Treva Dodd are tied for fifth at 4-over 144. Bohnert improved from a 3-over 73 in the opening round to card a 1-over 71 in the second round. Dodd opened with a 1-over 71 before posting a 3-over 73 in the second round.
 
Addi Kooi is eighth at 5-over 145 after rounds of 72 and 73. Kooi closed her second round with a birdie on No. 17, her fifth birdie of the day.
 
Samantha Von Rohr rounds out Butler's lineup in 17th place at 8-over 148.
 
Butler also has four players competing as individuals in the tournament. Kylie Eaton sits tied for 14th at 7-over 147 after rounds of 76 and 71. Sophie McGinnis is tied for 17th at 8-over 148 after recording consecutive rounds of 4-over 74. Ashley Freitas is tied for 31st at 12-over 152 after improving by four strokes in the second round. Maddie Diedrich is 78th at 25-over 165.
 
Play will conclude Tuesday with a 9 a.m. shotgun start for the final 18 holes.

The Butler Women:
1) Rachel Johnson, 70-68—138 (-2)
T5) Brooklynn Bohnert, 73-71—144 (+4)
T5) Treva Dodd, 71-73—144 (+4)
T8) Addi Kooi, 72-73—145 (+5)
T14) Kylie Eaton (IND), 76-71—147 (+7)
T17) Samantha Von Rohr, 73-75—148 (+8)
T17) Sophie McGinnis (IND), 74-74—148 (+8)
T31) Ashley Freitas (IND), 78-74—152 (+12)
T78) Maddie Diedrich (IND), 83-82—165 (+25)