Feb. 20, 2007

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. - The Xavier women's golf team concluded their first tournament of the spring season today, finishing twelfth in the field at the Papa John's Intercollegiate.  Coastal Carolina University surged ahead of XU in the final round, creating a ten-stroke gap.

Senior Kara Manis seemed to fall prey to the tricky pin locations of today's round, dropping out of the top 20 with a final-round 83.  She finished at +25 (241) for the tournament in at tie for 38th, relinquishing her individual team lead to freshman Mary Beth McKenna. 

While McKenna was not especially pleased with her final round, she carded the best Musketeer score of the day, a six-over par 78, landing her in a tie for 36th at +24 (240).  McKenna and teammate Lindsay Cornell both emphasized XU's need for improvement as the spring schedule continues on.

The University of Louisville and San Jose State University both shot a team score of 303, freezing the top two positions and earning Louisville the tournament's team title.  USF made up four strokes on third-place East Carolina University, tying them at third place (932), six strokes back from San Jose State.

Cindy LaCrosse of Louisville brilliantly recovered from her second-round 81 to card an even-par 72 in the final round, securing the individual title by a single stroke over San Jose State's Erica Moston. 

Cornell steadily improved throughout the tournament, shooting a nine-over par 81 to close out her tournament performance at +32, tied with junior Diana Torry in 53rd place.  Torry's final-round 84 mirrored her first round total.  Ten strokes behind them in at tie for 62nd was freshman Tracey Clarke with an 86 in her final round.

Next week the Musketeers travel to Buies Creek, N.C. for the Campbell Spring Classic.  The two day event will begin on Monday, February 26.