Results
The Field vs. New Mexico – UNLV, Colorado St., Fresno St., Gonzaga, Idaho, Indiana, Long Beach St., Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Nebraska, San Diego St., San Jose St., Tennessee, Texas, UC Irvine, Vanderbilt
The Lobos – Manon Molle’, Sol Lee, Darian Zachek, Eva Saulnier, Ingrid Gutierrez, Alexandra Moisand
LAS VEGAS, NV – After two rounds of play, the New Mexico women’s golf team currently stands in 10th place at UNLV’s Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown. The Lobos went in to round two tied for seventh place with a combined team score of 281, seven shots under par. In round two, the Lobos finished with a team total of 282 (-6), one stroke weaker than their day one total.
“We took a few big numbers on a couple holes that kind of got us, and out here you can’t do that,” said head coach Trujillo. “You have to maintain pars and birdies and lots and lots of birdies were falling out there. We have to set ourselves up better for par 5’s tomorrow and really go for the flag a little more. We played it a little too safe on some holes and a little too aggressive on others. I think we will find the right median tomorrow.”
While the day was not as strong as they had hoped it would be the Lobos broke the New Mexico low 36 hole total record today with a two-round team score of 563, 13-under-par. The previous record of 8-under was set in the 2003-04 season at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational.
Refusing to share the top spot of the leaderboard for two day in a row, San Jose State shot 13-under today giving them a two-day total of 26-under-par (550) and advancing their lead by four strokes. Dropping down to second place is Michigan with a 36 hole total of 554 (-22). Vanderbilt moved up to third (555) and Tennessee and San Diego State are tied for fourth place with scores of 558.
The 19 team field has had 684 birdies throughout two rounds of competition, exactly double the total number of birdies accrued in the first round. San Jose State leads the birdie count with 49, and New Mexico has collected 36 in two rounds of play.
Holding steadfast at the top of the individual leaderboard is San Jose State’s My Leander with a two-round total of 132 (-12). Anna Newell of Tennessee is one stroke behind, carding a 133 (-11) in 36 holes. Continuing her reign for the Lobos is Ingrid Gutierrez with a two-round total of 137 (-7). Gutierrez is currently tied for 11th overall.
“I feel pretty good about my round today,” said Gutierrez. “I made a lot of putts for par and for birdie. I hope that tomorrow will be more of the same or even better. I need to put the ball closer to the hole. My ball kept going to the left today, so I’m going to work on that right now and see if tomorrow is better.”
While Manon Molle’ carded a 69 (-3) today, three strokes better than her round one total, she was not entirely satisfied with her performance.
“My round today was not as good as yesterday, but I made a lot of putts,” Molle’ admitted. “My driver was not very good today so I had to get out of difficult places to make birdies and pars, but I finished pretty well. We have to play more strategic tomorrow.”
The third round begins at 8:00 a.m. with the Lobos paired against Nevada and Indiana. Live scoring will be available on BirdieFire.
“The Lobos are ready to take it deep,” said Trujillo.