NEWTON, Kan. – After sitting in fifth place, 11 shots off the lead to begin the day, Rogers State women's golf rallied with a team score of 293 (+5) in the second round to win the Newman Spring Invitational at the Sand Creek Station Golf Course.
The comeback for the Hillcats saw the navy and red leap over Central Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma State early on before passing Central Missouri just past the midway point of the second round.
With three holes to go, the Hillcats sat two shots off of the lead, held by Northeastern State, but Rogers State had four birdies over the final three holes to leap past the RiverHawks and claim a two-stroke victory.
Jessica Green and
Marelda Ayal led the way for the Hillcats in round two, as both golfers shot even par rounds of 72. Green had three birdies and 12 pars in the round, while Ayal finished with five birdies and eight pars. Both golfers had a birdie in the final three holes.
Green climbed from a sixth-place starting position to finish in a tie for second overall in the event. Green has finished in the top 10 in five-straight events. Ayal started the day tied for 17
th and climbed to finish fifth overall, her first collegiate top-five finish.
Sydney Murray finished two shots behind Green and Ayal on the day, but closed strong with 10-straight pars before a birdie on her final hole to finish with a 74. Murray had three birdies on the day and climbed 13 places to finish in a tie for 14
th.
Jaelynn Unger wrapped up the scoring for the Hillcats in the second round with a +3 score of 75. Unger had three birdies, including a par, birdie, par finish to help secure the victory for the Hillcats. Unger finished 25
th overall.
For the Hillcats, it is the second win in the last three events. Rogers State has finished in the top five in all six events this season with an average finishing position of 2.8.
Rogers State's round of 293 is the best round this season and tied for the fourth-best round in program history.
The victory comes in the final tune-up for the Hillcats prior to the MIAA Championships, which is set to take place on April 22-23 at Hillcrest Country Club in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Hillcat Scorers
