ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Towson University women's golf team concluded the second tournament of the fall season with its highest finish in two years, placing second out of 15 teams after steady rounds of 305-308. The last time the Black & Gold saw a tournament finish this high was at the Pirate Collegiate Classic in 2021 where they placed second overall.
"The positive team energy and collective support really allowed our ladies to play some of their best golf this season," head coach
Shannon Briggs stated. "The consistency of our routines and mindset was pivotal this weekend. Everyone had a game plan and a strategic approach to each hole and it was fun to see the ladies preserve and execute on a challenging course against a team that plays here consistently."
Towson ranked first for par 3s with a stroke average of 3.33, +13. The Tigers also had the top spot for number of pars made at 105.
Host team Navy won the event with rounds of 302-305. Howard University rounded out the podium in third place after making a comeback for the second round, improving by 16 strokes. The Bison's finished in 318-302. Navy's Mara Hirtle clinched the individual tournament title after shooting a 71 for her second round. She was one of two players to shoot under par throughout the two rounds.
Madison Barber narrowly missed the first-place spot individually, finishing as the runner up by one stroke. The fifth year added two more birdies to her score card during the second round, shooting a 75. Barber also ranked second overall for amount of birdies made throughout the tournament, recording seven total.
"Madison's ball striking again was her strength and this allowed her to capitalize on the opportunities that weren't there for the rest of the field," Briggs commented on Barber's performance. "She took advantage of her length and paired that with some magnificent wedge play around tight pins. Highlight of her late afternoon surge yesterday was seeing her go four out of a five hole stretch with birdies is a boost of confidence for her taking her tournament golf and overall performance to the next level."
Faith McIlvain held onto a top-10 finish individually, tying for eighth. She shot 79 for her second round, notching one birdie during the back nine.
Isabella Portokalis moved up 13 spots to finish the tournament in 28
th place. She improved by three strokes in between rounds, shooting a 77 for her final 18. She parred 14 holes, the most out of anyone on Towson for the second round.
Grace Oristian was right behind in 29
th place. Oristian stayed consistent, matching her score from the first round to shoot 77. The freshman made par for 10 holes and birdied No. 4.
Peyton Costabile bounced back for her final round, dropping nine strokes from yesterday's score. The sophomore transfer was the second Tiger to shoot 77 for the second round, notching two birdies.
Rayab Lee shaved two strokes from her previous score for her final day of play, shooting 86 and making her first birdie of the season during the front nine.
"Super proud of this team we really had a fun, memorable tournament and there's more to come for our squad," Briggs concluded.
Final Scores
The Tigers will attend their second Fall Invitational of the 2023 campaign, hosted by UNC Greensboro. The event takes place at the Forest Oaks Country Club in North Carolina from October 9-10.
