ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico women’s golf team concluded play Tuesday at their season-opening event, the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational. The Lobos shot 14-over during the final round at the UNM Championship Course to finish their home event in ninth place at 34-over.
Sacramento State won the tournament with a total of 3-over, posting a four-shot win over second place Cal State Fullerton (7-over). South Alabama (17-over), Montana State (19-over) and Northern Arizona (21-over) rounded out the top five.
Freshman Ava Cepeda led the Lobos at the McGuire, posting a T-15th finish in her collegiate debut. She recorded her first collegiate round of par or better with a even par 72 on Tuesday to finish the tournament at 4-over. Maria Caparros Levin finished at 8-over, while Ciara Rushmer finished at 11-over. Rebecca Galasso and Chelsea Truong rounded out the lineup, each finishing at 15-over. Freshman Juliette Hole, playing as an individual to begin her collegiate career, shot 2-over in the final round to finish at 11-over.
“Sometimes it is tough to play on your home course,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “I think our players, especially our upperclassmen, put a lot of pressure on themselves. Going into the rest of the season, we really need to work on our mental game.”
The Lobos return to action Sept. 23-24 with the Red Raider Invitational, hosted by Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.