Windy Finish

Feb. 10, 2015

UCF Athletics Social Media Directory

By Bill Morrison
UCFKnights.com

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ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - On a blustery day at Eagle Creek Golf Club, the UCF women's golf team battled tough conditions to move up and secure third place in the final round of the 2015 UCF Challenge Tuesday. Virginia took top team honors in a day that featured a topsy-turvy leaderboard, thanks to the windy conditions.

Wind was a factor all day, but being familiar with the course and its conditions gave the Knights an edge. UCF battled Iowa State for most of the day, then pulled away from the Cyclones on the back nine. In the end, the Knights overtook Vanderbilt for third place. The Commodores had begun the day tied for first place.

I was really proud for the team, UCF Head Coach Emily Marron said. You have to fight hard on a day like today. With the scores they shot, I was really happy.

The winds of change blew strong all day as the lead changed hands several times between Virginia, Tulane and Vanderbilt. Virginia lost the lead, but finished strong to slip by Tulane and take home the team title. Atop the individual leaderboard, Virginia's Lauren Diaz-Yi and Vanderbilt's Jennifer Hahn took co-medalist honors, each finishing with a 207 (-9) for the tournament.

UCF was paced by freshman Laura Sojo, who tied for sixth among individuals at 4-under par. It was Sojo's first Top 10 finish as a Knight. She had a flawless back nine, which included eight straight pars before making birdie on her final hole. Senior Monifa Sealy earned her second Top 10 finish this season, carding a 213 (-3) to secure a tie for ninth overall.

I think as a team we held up pretty good, Sojo said. I feel happy with my results. I've been working hard, so I hope it keeps being this way the rest of the season.

Sophomore Ashley Holder tied for 14th, carding a 215 (-1) for the tournament. Seniors Fanny Cnops and Robyn Doig shot 218 (+2) and 228 (+12), respectively.

Competing as an individual, junior Paola Robles impressed with a 215 (-1), good enough to tie for 14th overall. Junior Mary Mulcahy ( 223, +7) and sophomore Ayaka Nakayama ( 227, +11) also took part as individuals.

The Knights are back in action again February 22-24 at the Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate in New Orleans, La.