The Northwestern women’s golf team knew this weekend’s NCAA East Regional would be a challenge – the team just didn’t know it would be this much of a challenge.

Matched up with some of the nation’s best teams, the Wildcats struggled to a 26-over 314 in Thursday’s opening round in Chapel Hill, N.C., landing them in 18th place in the field of 21 teams.

NU has plenty of ground to make up. The Cats are 28 shots behind tournament-leading Duke, which shot a 2-under 286.

Elizabeth Burden and Hana Kim each shot a 6-over 78 to lead NU, tying them for 55th place among individual golfers. Emily Gilley and Lauren Grzebien carded 79s, and Christie Hermes posted an 80.

Thursday’s finish leaves the Cats with just two rounds to improve their standing.

The top eight teams advance to the NCAA championships. NU currently trails eighth-place Louisville by 10 strokes.

Last year the Cats took the regional by surprise, storming to a second-place finish and qualifying for the NCAA championships for the first time in their history.

NU takes the course today for another round of 18 holes to try and climb out of the hole it dug itself Thursday.