Women's Golf | 3/22/2016 4:32:00 PM

Final Results

BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – In a tournament that had 40+ mph gusts, St. Edward's golfer ANA SOFIA BENAVIDES braved the winds to be the only player to shoot two rounds in the 70s, as she was victorious at the Hillcat Classic on Tuesday afternoon. The Hilltoppers finished second as a team.
 
Benavides (76-78=154) started her round with a birdie on the par-4 first hole. However, the freshman would make three-straight bogeys on holes 2-4. After also making bogey on the eighth hole, Benavides rebounded with a birdie on the par-5 10^th hole. She would hang on down the stretch to win by three strokes over Oklahoma Christian's Allison Sell (84-73=157). She led the tournament in birdies with five during the two-day event.
 
"In all my years of coaching I've never seen a more challenging golf course compounded by high winds," head coach Jennifer McNeil said. "She played two incredible rounds of golf and I am so proud of her win."
 
The Hilltoppers moved out of a tie for fourth place after day one, shooting the second-lowest round of the day to move up two spots to second place. The second place finish was the third of the season for the Hilltoppers.
 
Oklahoma Christian (337-316=653) took home the team title as they defeated the eight-team field by 18 strokes. St. Edward's (343-328=671) held off Midwestern State (332-342=674) who finished third.
 
In a total team effort, all five players for St. Edward's finished in the top-20. JESSICA TAMEN (91-80=171) had the biggest jump in placing, moving from 25^th place to 12^th place. ISABEL MORALES (88-85=173) improved on her first day scoring to move up to a tie for 15^th place, while SANDY LIVAS (90-85=175) jumped up eight spots to a tie for 18^th place. BRIANNA VOGEL (89-87=176) rounded out the scoring, tying for 20^th place.
 
"Moving up to second place as a team was an added bonus today," McNeil said. "The scores aren't reflective of the good things we did. These kids fought hard and I am very proud of them. I think the quote of the week was by Sofi. 'This course will test your patience'. That was no lie!"
 
The Hilltoppers will return to action April 1-2 when they travel to Goodyear, Ariz. to compete in the Mustang Intercollegiate. The two-day event will be hosted by Western New Mexico at Palm Valley Golf Club. Live scoring will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.