Women's golf finish fourth at USF/Waterlefe Invitational

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Middle Tennessee women's golf team put together their best result of the season at the USF/Waterlefe Invitational, notching a fourth place finish in the 19-team field at Waterlefe Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla.

The Blue Raiders carded their lowest score of the tournament with a 13-over 301.

"It was a good finish and we were right there with South Florida until the end," said head coach Chris Adams. "We showed a bit more consistency out there, but we still have some work to do. It was a good test for us, and something we can build on."

Ashley Haggard and Karisa Akin were the top Blue Raider golfers in the event, finishing tied for 16th in the 103-player field at 11-over. Both shot a two-over 74 in Tuesday's final round.

Stephanie Smith ended the event just one stroke shy of the duo after a third round four-over 76. Smith was a model of consistency in the tournament, carding the same score in each round.

Olivia Love finished tied for 20th after shooting a five-over 77 on Tuesday to finish 13-over for the event.

Steph Gough also made the trip to Bradenton, and shot an 18-over 90 in the final round.

The field at the USF/Waterlefe Invitational also featured four other Sun Belt Conference teams with Troy finishing at 12th. South Alabama and Florida Atlantic ended at 14th and 15th, respectively. UL-Monroe was 18th.

Middle Tennessee will now prepare for next week's Dale McNamara Invitational in Tulsa, Okla. The event will be hosted by the University of Tulsa at Patriot Golf Club.

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Daytona State College - 296-299-289=884 (+20)
2. Nova Southeastern - 294-298-300=892 (+28)
3. South Florida - 303-305-300=908 (+44)
4. Middle Tennessee - 304-306-301=911 (+47)
5. Southern Miss - 308-304-308=920 (+56)
6. Florida Gulf Coast - 304-317-303=924 (+60)
7. Stetson - 310-307-308=925 (+61)
T8. Augusta State - 310-317-306=933 (+69)
T8. Houston Baptist - 310-304-319=933 (+69)
10. Montana - 306-330-304=940 (+76)
11. Colorado State - 316-315-311=942 (+78)
12. Troy - 314-320-317=951 (+87)
13. South Dakota State - 321-304-327=952 (+88)
14. South Alabama - 320-323-314=957 (+93)
15. Florida Atlantic - 318-318-322=958 (+94)
16. McNeese State - 318-331-314=963 (+99)
17. Miami (Fla.) - 322-320-323=965 (+101)
18. UL-Monroe - 331-317-318=966 (+102)
19. UAB - 332-342-327=1001 (+137)

MT SCORES
T16. Ashley Haggard - 77-76-74=227 (+11)
T16. Karisa Akin - 76-77-74=227 (+11)
19. Stephanie Smith - 76-76-76=228 (+12)
T20. Olivia Love - 75-77-77=229 (+13)
98. Steph Gough - 82-92-90=264 (+48)

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