Women's golf finishes ninth at Dale McNamara Invitational

TULSA, Okla. - The Blue Raiders opened with a strong round on Monday, but the course caught up with them over the ensuing two days as the Middle Tennessee women's golf finished ninth (out of 15) after posting a 21-over 309 in the third round of the Dale McNamara Invitational at Patriot Golf Club in Tulsa, Okla.

"Today the course played a whole lot harder," head coach Chris Adams said. "We avoided the big numbers, but we just had too many bogeys. I'm proud of the way that Ashley and Karisa played, but everyone else struggled a bit. We can't count 80s, and we have our work cut out for us next week."

Ashley Haggard led the team with a two-over 74, and Karisa Akin was one stroke behind, carding a 75. The duo tied for 26th and 31st, respectively, in the 74-player field at 10-over and 12-over.

Olivia Love, Stephanie Smith and Allie Knight each recorded an eight-over 80 on Wednesday. Knight ended her first career collegiate tournament tied for 31st at 12-over. Smith tied for 51st at 19-over and Love ended in a tie for 55th at 20-over.

The Blue Raiders will next play at the Wild Eggs Cardinal Cup, hosted by Louisville at the Cardinal Club. The two-day begin is set to begin on September 19.

"We have to have short memories," Adams said. "We have to hit the road again on Saturday. This team is very capable, and we're a tough team to beat when we're firing on all cylinders."

TEAM SCORES (out of 15)
1. Oklahoma State - 294-299-275=868 (+4)
2. Arizona State - 280-292-301=873 (+9)
3. Northwestern - 303-291-289=883 (+19)
4. Iowa State - 300-298-290=888 (+24)
5. Tulsa - 300-302-299=901 (+37)
6. Oral Roberts - 304-296-305=905 (+41)
7. Kansas State - 311-298-301=910 (+46)
8. Longwood - 302-300-309=911 (+47)
9. Middle Tennessee - 298-306-309=913 (+49)
10. UCF - 308-295-313=916 (+52)
T11. UALR - 309-307-311=927 (+63)
T11. Kansas - 313-304-310=927 (+63)
13. Missouri - 320-306-306=932 (+68)
14. Arkansas State - 315-300-323=938 (+74)
15. Southern Miss - 314-316-320=950 (+86)

MT SCORES (out of 74)
T26. Ashley Haggard - 73-79-74=226 (+10)
T31. Karisa Akin - 76-77-75=228 (+12)
T31. Allie Knight - 72-76-80=228 (+12)
T51. Stephanie Smith - 81-74-80=235 (+19)
T55. Olivia Love - 77-79-80=236 (+20)

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.