ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Elizabeth Moon and Maria Balcazar of the UCF women’s golf team each took home American Athletic Conference honors announced Friday.
Moon earned her first major award of her collegiate career being named Freshman of the Year. Both Moon and Balcazar also were named to the All-Conference team.
Moon had one of the most impressive seasons in program history after finishing second overall at The American Championship and placing first at two other tournaments earlier in the season.
“Elizabeth is one of the most consistent players we have ever had at UCF,” said head coach Emily Marron. “What she has done in her first year is impressive and shows what she is capable of in the future. We are all so proud of Elizabeth and are excited for what is to come for her.”
At The American Championship, No. 75 Moon was paired with No. 10 Leonie Harm for all three rounds as the two best golfers in the tournament. Moon and Harm were tied through the majority of the tournament, and Moon was edged by Harm in the final three holes in the third round.
Moon took home first place two tournament this season as her first came just three tournaments into her rookie season at the Princess Anne Invitational in Virginia Beach on Oct. 7. Moon shattered the program record for best 54-hole finish with a 203(-7) after shooting 71-67-65. Her low round of 65 tied the program’s record for best single-round score.
The Forest City, Ark., native’s second top finish was at the Florida Challenge on Jan. 28 in Tampa, Fla., where she shot 68(-4) and tied for first overall.
Moon finished the regular season with five top-10 finishes and three top-five finishes and averaged 71.3 strokes per round. The rookie was UCF’s top finisher in seven of their 10 events this season.
Balcazar earned her second All-Conference selection of her career. Balcazar averaged 73.4 strokes per round and was the Knights’ top finisher at the Landfall Tradition event in Wilmington, N.C.
“Maria has been a steady performer for the past three years,” said Marron. “She was set back last year due to injury and worked very hard and battled back strong this season. I am really happy for her to receive this much deserved recognition.”
The junior’s best finish of the season came at the UCF Challenge where she finished tied for 12th where she shot 212(-4). Balcazaar also finished tied for 12th at The American Championship.
Balcazar also earned All-Conference during her rookie season when she was named Freshman of the Year in 2017.
UP NEXT
The Knights await a bid to the NCAA Women’s Golf Regional. The selection show is hosted on Golf Channel on Wednesday, April 24th at 5:30 p.m.
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