Tulane Posts Runner-Up Finish at UCF Challenge

Tuesday, February 9

Orlando, Fla. (Eagle Creek G.C.)

All Day

Tulane University

UCF Challenge (Hosted by UCF)

Tulane Posts Runner-Up Finish at UCF Challenge

Feb 9, 2016 | Women's Golf

Feb. 9, 2016

*2016 UCF Challenge*
Date (Time)	Sunday, Feb. 7 - Tuesday, Feb. 9
Location	Eagle Creek Golf Club \| Orlando, Fla.
Host	University of Central Florida
Live Stats	GolfStat.com
Twitter	@GreenWaveWGolf
Tournament Field	Augusta, Campbell, Daytona State College, East Carolina, Houston, Iowa State, Kentucky, Miami, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Texas, Tulane, UCF, USF, Vanderbilt, Western Carolina and Wisconsin
Results	Final Results

NEW ORLEANS - Tulane senior Emily Penttila collected a third-place overall finish and the Green Wave golf team combined for an 11-over 299 total on the final day to post a runner-up effort with a 22-over 886 total at the UCF Challenge in Orlando, Fla.

Penttila carded a 3-over 74 for the final round and completed the event with a 1-over 217 to tie her highest finish of the season.

Senior Silvia Garces equaled Penttila on the day and produced a 25th place finish with an 8-over effort for the event while junior Belen Goicoechea was 9-over for 54 holes and 28th overall.

Senior Madison Opfer fired a 3-over 75 for today's round and finished 10-over for the tournament for 33rd place. Freshman Laura Munoz carded a 6-over 78 for her final round and posted a 31st-place effort at 12-over.

Freshman Abbie Cantwell played as an individual and registered the lowest round of the day for the Wave with a 1-over 73 and finished 53rd at 15-over.

"It was a very challenging day weather-wise with the cool temperatures and strong winds but we can out and played with a purpose and fought all day," Tulane head coach Lorne Don said. "Unfortunately, we lost by a shot but we had a really good three days to open the season. We talked about starting the spring on a high note and I thought the team definitely answered the bell. We will build on this performance and get ready for our home tournament.

"Emily had a very good tournament and played consistent golf all week and put herself in a position to win the tournament. A third place finish is a very good result in this strong of a tournament field."

Houston edged the Green Wave by a stroke, while Missouri was third, Texas was fourth and East Carolina was fifth, giving the American Athletic Conference three teams in the top five.

East Carolina's F. Gustafsson Spang took home individual honors at 3-under.

Tulane returns to action at home when it hosts the 2016 Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Golf Championship, Feb. 21-23, at the English Turn Golf & Country Club.

RESULTS

2      Tulane                  302-285-299=886 (+22)3      Emily Penttila          71-72-74=217 (+1)T25    Silvia Garces           75-75-74=224 (+8)T28    Belen Goicoechea        77-72-76=225 (+9)T33    Madison Opfer           81-70-75=226 (+10)T31    Laura Munoz             79-71-78=228 (+12)*T53   Abbie Cantwell          84-74-73=231 (+15)

*Played as an individual

Team Results
1. Houston (+21), 2. Tulane (+22), 3. Missouri (+26), 4. Texas (+27), T5. East Carolina (+28), T5. Iowa State (+28), T5. Kentucky (+28), 8. Vanderbilt (+31), 9. Augusta (+33), 10. UCF (+35), T11. Miami (+45), T11. Campbell (+45), 13. Minnesota (+46), 14. Mississippi State (+49), 15. Wisconsin (+50), 16. South Florida (+51), 17. Daytona State College (+78), Western Carolina (+81)

Player Results (Top-10 only)
1. F. Gustafsson Spang, East Carolina (-2), 2. Michelle Butler, Missouri (E), 3. Emily Penttila, Tulane (+1), 4. Cylia Damerau, Kentucky (+2), 5. Dewi Weber, Miami (+3), T6. Cindy Ha, Vanderbilt (+4), T6. Emie Peronnin, Minnesota (+4), T6. Raegan Bremer, Houston (+4), T6. Chayanit Wangmahaporn, Iowa State (+4), T6. Haley Mills, Texas (+4)