Women's golf takes home Blue Raider Invitational title

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - A day after carding a season best five-over 293, the Middle Tennessee women's golf team repeated the feat on Tuesday to win the Blue Raider Invitational at Old Fort Golf Club in Murfreesboro.

The Blue Raiders ended the event with a 22-over 886, the second-best three-round total in program history, to win the event by 14 strokes over Lamar.

"I'm definitely proud of the way the team performed today," head coach Chris Adams said. "We didn't really have the first round that I would've liked, but we really put it together over these last two, and you can't ask for much more. We had three players finish in the top 10, and Karisa ended with back-to-back even par rounds."

Karisa Akin put up an even-par 72 to end at three-over and earn low medalist honors in the event, which was the first home tournament in program history.

"It feels good to win on your own home course," Akin said. "I mean, if someone from a different school would've won, it would've felt like they stole it. I think I could've played better, but it feels really good to end the fall with a win. This gives us something to build on for the spring, and I'm looking forward to it."

The event also marked the first three-round tournament win for the Blue Raiders since taking home the Unlimited Potential Classic in the fall of 2005.

Olivia Love and Ashley Haggard both put together strong rounds as well, each ending the day with a one-over 73. The duo finished tied for fifth and 11th, respectively, in the 78-player field at seven-over and nine-over.

Allie Knight had another solid day, as has been the case for much of her debut campaign, carding a three-over 75 to finish tied for eighth at eight-over.

"If you would've told me that I was going to get this much production out of a freshman this season, I would've called you crazy," Adams said. "Allie has done extremely well this fall, and I don't think I can look at her as a freshman anymore. She's played very well for us this year."

Natalie Chrisopulos had an impressive start to the day, and ended tied for 18th at 13-over.

Individually, Stephanie Smith, who opened the event with an even par 72 only to follow up with a round of 84, carded a three-over 75 to tie for 25th at 15-over. Haley Cothran tied for 37th at 19 over after firing an 83 and Steph Gough shot an 82 to tie for 64th.

Middle Tennessee will now take a break from golf before getting the spring season going in February.

TEAM SCORES
1. Middle Tennessee - 300-293-293=886
2. Lamar - 303-297-300=900
3. Arkansas State - 307-302-299=908
4. ULM - 305-301-306=912
5. UALR - 301-308-304=913
6. Southern Illinois - 306-304-311=921
7. Murray State - 312-305-306=923
T8. UTEP - 311-311-308=930
T8. Troy - 306-313-311=930
10. Belmont - 320-313-308=941
11. Winthrop - 312-318-312=942
12. South Alabama - 324-315-310=949
13. Western Kentucky - 325-321-330=976

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