Furman moves into first at Lady Paladin Invitational

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Sophomore Daffodil Sanchez’s 1-over 73 paced the Furman women’s golf team to a 299 on Saturday as the Paladins took a one-stroke lead over Southern Conference rival Chattanooga in the 41st Lady Paladin Invitational at the par-72, 6,266-yard Furman University Golf Course.

Sanchez, a native of Mesa, Ariz., caught fire on the back nine recording, four of her five birdies over the final eight holes to post her team-leading 73.  Freshman Valentina Romero notched three second-round birdies, including one at No 18 to give the Paladins (+25) a one-stroke advantage over the Lady Mocs (+26) and two-stroke cushion on third-place Nova Southeastern through 36 holes.

Senior Alexa Rancourt and freshman Stephanie Carlozzi fired 75 and 76, respectively, to round out Furman’s four counting scores on Saturday.

Chattanooga’s Marion Duvernay (E) grabbed a two-stroke lead on the strength of a 2-under 70.  She birdied five of her first 13 holes on the round and held onto the lead despite bogeys on her final two holes.  Appalachian State’s Rumbidzai Masamvu (+2), Rutgers’ Kortnie Maxoutopouli (+2), Mercer’s Mary Alice Murphy (+2) and Nova Southeastern’s Daniela Ortiz (+2) are tied for second place after two rounds.

Due to the forecast inclement weather in the Northeast this week, Rutgers announced that it would withdraw from the tournament following Saturday’s second round to return home.

The 54-hole Lady Paladin Invitational concludes on Sunday.  A shotgun start is slated for 9 a.m.

Chattanooga second, Duvernay first at Lady Paladin Invitational

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Marion Duvernay tied her career-low round in surging into first-place at the Lady Paladin Invitational. Duvernay’s 2-under par 70 moved her to even-par 144, two shots clear of first-round leader Rumbidzai Masamvu of Appalachian State.

Behind Duvernay, Emily McLennan and Jordan Britt, Chattanooga is just one stroke behind Furman. Three teams are within two shots of the lead with Furman in front at 601, UTC second at 602 and Nova Southeastern in third at 603.

Duvernay was solid throughout her round. She tallied five birdies a day after recording seven. Those 12 already ranks as her career tourney best with 18 holes to go. She was minus-4 through 16 holes before bogeys at 17 and 18 ended her day with a 70, which ties for her career-low round.

McLennan and Britt were solid, as well. McLennan tied her best collegiate round with a 73 (+1), while Britt carded a 74 (+2). McLennan is tied for sixth at plus-5 (149), while Britt is 10th (150).

That trio, along with Porsche Campbell, posted the best round of the season with a 297. It was also low round of the day, topping Furman by two shots.

Freshman Isabella Loza, playing as an individual, carded her second 77 (+5) of the event. Her 10-over par total of 154 is tied for 17th.

Sunday’s final round is a shotgun start beginning at 9 a.m. The Mocs are paired with Furman and Nova Southeastern for the third straight day opening on holes 1-3.

Appalachian State jumps to sixth at Lady Paladin Invitational

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Appalachian State’s women's golf team made a significant five-position jump after the second round of the Lady Paladin Invite, moving from 11th to sixth with the final round scheduled for Sunday from the Furman University Golf Course.

The Mountaineers shaved 16 strokes from their opening-round score of 319, posting a 303 Saturday, the third-lowest score of the second round in the 14-team field.

Appalachian State found consistency in its lineup as senior Rumbidzai Masamvu, senior Lauren Smith and sophomore Elena Thomas all fired 75s. Masamvu (71-75-146, +2) is in a four-way tie in second place, as three other competitors are also chasing Chattanooga's Marion Duvernay (74-70-144), who is even after two rounds.

Rounding out Appalachian State's scoring was senior Yue Xu with a 78 and senior Mimi Burke, who carded an 89.

Appalachian State is 21 strokes behind tournament host Furman (601), who leads over Chattanooga by a stroke. Opening round leader Nova Southeastern follows with a 603 and SoCon member Samford is in fourth with a score of 613.

The Mountaineers look to make another leap to the top of the scoreboard during the final round of the Lady Paladin Invite on Sunday. The third round begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m.

UNCG washed out at Landfall Classic

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Due to torrential rains associated with Hurricane Sandy, the final two rounds of the Landfall Tradition have been cancelled. The teams were able to play one round Friday before being washed out both Saturday and Sunday.

Sophomore Fanny Cnops posted a 2-over par 74 to lead the UNCG women's golf team in round one of the Landfall Tradition Friday afternoon at the Country Club of Landfall. The Landfall Tradition has a 17-team field that includes 11 teams nationally ranked in the top 30 by Golfweek.

Cnops, who is ranked 53rd in the country, finished in a tie for 23rd place overall, seven shots behind No. 26 Kimberly Kaufmann of Texas Tech. No. 16 Oklahoma State was named champion in the stacked field after posting a team score of 292,  while the Spartans turned in an opening-round score of 325 to finish 17th.

The Landfall Tradition was the Spartans’ final tournament of the fall season. UNCG will return to action March 3-5 at the Kiawah Invitational in Charleston, S.C.

 Cnops, who is ranked 53rd in the country, sits in a tie for 23rd place overall, seven shots behind No. 26 Kimberly Kaufmann of Texas Tech. No. 16 Oklahoma State leads the stacked field after posting a team score of 292.