March 25, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF women's golf team equaled its lowest round of the spring season as the Golden Knights combined for a 300 (+16) in the final round of the 35th annual Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic. The Black and Gold finished the tournament tied with No. 25 Kent State in 13th place.
The team improved its score during each round of the three-day tournament, marking the first time since the season-opening NCAA Fall Preview that the Knights achieved that feat. Senior Kristy McLaughlin (Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada/Collingwood Collegiate Institute) led the team's efforts on Sunday by carding a 73 (+2), which equaled her low round of the season.
Auburn held on for an 11-shot team victory by posting a three-day total of 881 (+29). Florida was the runner-up at 892 (+40). Purdue's Maria Hernandez and Virginia's Leah Wigger shared medalist honors with scores of 215 (+2).
UCF freshman Victoria Tomko (Lontzen, Belgium/Bradenton Academy) holed out her approach shot on the par-4 10th hole for an eagle. Tomko carded her lowest round of the tournament, posting a 76 (+5) in the final round. Classmate Leigh Crosby (Athens, Ga./Oconee), like Tomko, improved her score each round, turning in a 75 (+4).
Sophomore Stephanie Connelly shot her second consecutive 76 (+5) to finish in a tie for 45th in the individual standings (232, +19). Freshman Sara Hurwitch was the top Golden Knight finisher as she tied for 24th (226, +13) after carding a 77 (+6) in the final round.
The Knights will compete next in the Florida State Championship in Miami Lakes on March 30-April 1. This will be the final tune-up for the team prior to the Conference USA Championship in Birmingham, Ala., in late April.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports.
Team Leaderboard - (Final)Rank Team Totals1 Auburn 293-299-289 = 881 (+29)2 Florida 300-298-294 = 892 (+40)3 Arkansas 300-297-300 = 897 (+45)4 Alabama 302-301-295 = 898 (+46)5 Purdue 304-299-299 = 902 (+50)6 Virginia 303-296-306 = 905 (+53)7 Wake Forest 307-292-307 = 906 (+54)8 Georgia 303-300-304 = 907 (+55)9 South Carolina 302-300-307 = 909 (+57)10 Florida State 312-302-296 = 910 (+58)11 LSU 301-306-304 = 911 (+59)12 Michigan State 297-310-309 = 916 (+64)13 UCF 319-308-300 = 927 (+75) Kent State 314-310-303 = 927 (+75)15 Mississippi State 314-315-304 = 933 (+81)16 Furman 312-314-311 = 937 (+85)17 Georgia State 331-312-317 = 960 (+108)18 August State 314-325-326 = 965 (+113)
Individual LeaderboardRank Player (School) Total1 Leah Wigger (Virginia) 72-72-71 = 215 (+2) Maria Hernandez (Perdue) 72-73-70 = 215 (+2)3 Sandra Gal (Florida) 74-73-69 = 216 (+3) Caroline Westrup (Florida State) 72-73-71 = 216 (+3)5 Jenna Pearson (South Carolina) 74-71-73 = 218 (+5)
UCF Individuals (Place)Sara Hurwitch (T24) 74-75-77 = 226 (+13)Stephanie Connelly (T45) 80-76-76 = 232 (+19)Leigh Crosby (T56) 83-77-75 = 235 (+22)Kristy McLaughlin (T67) 82-82-73 = 237 (+24)Victoria Tomko (T71) 84-80-76 = 240 (+27)