The Field vs. New Mexico – Furman, Augusta, Daytona State, ETSU, Georgetown, Georgia State, Illinois, Kennesaw State, Maryland, Mercer, Minnesota, Missouri, MTSU, Mississippi, Texas, Tulsa, UNCW, Virginia Tech, and Wofford.
The Lobos – Manon Mollé, Ingrid Gutierrez, Alexandra Moisand, Darian Zachek, and Katerina Jaeger.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico women’s golf team is making its way back to Greenville, S.C. for the 45th annual Lady Paladin Invitational this weekend after a solid comeback in their season opener last weekend.
The Lobos are familiar with the Lady Paladin Invitational as they competed in the tournament last fall. Despite the windy weather conditions last year, the Lobos finished in third with a score of 883. Eva Saulnier was the low score for the Lobos in the three rounds with 221, five over par. Alexandra Moisand was close behind with a score of 222, six over par.
“I’m feeling pretty good about it all,” said Lobos head coach Jill Trujillo. “We placed very well last year in Furman. We finished third and had some low rounds. We were pretty consistent but we all are eager to go this year.”
The Lobos are coming off an eighth place finish in the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational with a score of 867 (299-285-283). The team didn’t start out how they wanted, but sophomore Darian Zachek, who had the lowest score for the Lobos at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, has a positive outlook after her team’s performance.
“I think our momentum really got going after the first day, especially now that we know that we can come back from a pretty rough start.”
Trujillo also added, “We had two rounds under par at our home event and I think if we can keep shooting right around even or under par that’s going to kick start us through to the spring. It will give us the confidence we need to do well at some of the tournaments that have better teams.”
The line-up for the Lobos is Manon Molle’, Ingrid Gutierrez, Alexandra Moisand, Darian Zachek and Katerina Jaeger, all of whom will be competing this weekend. There will be a total of 20 teams competing with the Lobos at the Furman Golf Club, including host Furman and Texas, who are ranked in the Top 30.
Overall the Lobos are “excited and ready to get the season going,” says Zachek, who is heading to Greenville , S.C. for the first time wearing the cherry and silver.
The 54-hole tournament starts with individuals teeing off the opening round on Friday, September 23 at 9:00 a.m.