Sept. 7, 2009
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The No. 8 Auburn women's golf team defeated Alabama and Virginia Monday at the 2009 Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship, advancing to a championship title match with LSU.
Conducted by the National Golf Coaches Association, the Hooters Collegiate Match Play Championship is a three-day tournament that pits 16 of the top college women's golf teams against each other in a combination stroke play/match play format. Sunday's 36-hole qualifier seeded the teams for the match play portion as the top eight teams go to the championship bracket and the bottom eight go to the consolation.
The tournament is being played on the Legends Course at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla. The par-72 course is playing at 6,280 yards for the tournament.
"We had a good day today, a couple of really exciting matches and good golf," said Auburn head coach Kim Evans. "We played 36 holes yesterday and 36 today, so we have had some long days, but it is a good feeling to be in the championship match tomorrow."
The Tigers started off the day by taking down in-state rival No. 7 Alabama, 3-1-1. All three Auburn wins came at the bottom of the lineup with freshman Carlie Yadloczky earning the biggest victory, a 3-and-2 win over Helena Blomberg in the No. 4 spot. Patricia Sanz knocked off Brooke Pancake, 2-and-1, in the No. 3 position while fellow sophomore Haley Wilson defeated Rhea Nair, 1-up, in the fifth spot.
Playing in the top position, junior Cydney Clanton fell, 2-up, to Camilla Lenarth while second-seeded Candace Schepperle halved her match with Jennifer Kirby.
"This morning, we really came out and played well," said Evans. "Everyone played well, Carlie and Patty were paired together and that was really a good match, and Candace and Cydney played solid with their tough matches."
Auburn moved on to a semifinal matchup with Virginia, who entered the tournament ranked ninth in the nation. The Tigers and Cavaliers tied the match, 2-2-1, but Auburn won the tiebreaker by virtue of tallying more wins in the matches.
Wilson made it a sweep for the day, taking down Joy Kim, 3-and-1, for her second victory. Auburn's other victory came from Schepperle as she downed Whitney Neuhauser, 2-and-1.
After leading most of the match, Clanton settled for a tie after Brittany Altomare carded a birdie on No. 18. Sanz suffered a similar fate after leading later in her match, UVA's Nicole Agnello won Nos. 16 and 17 to tie the match and then take the lead for the 1-up victory.
Yadloczky also picked up her first loss after falling, 2-up, to Calle Nielson. Yadloczky trailed the entire match, but picked up wins on Nos. 16 and 17 to threaten a tie before Nielson sealed the victory on No. 18.
"In the second match, Candace and Cydney played so well and Candace had a big put on No. 17 to ice the match," said Evans. "It was a really big team effort, but Haley Wilson was been the difference-maker in both matches, without a doubt."
Wilson will attempt to go a perfect 3-0 Tuesday as Auburn takes on SEC rival LSU in the championship match. The clash of the Tigers should be evenly-matched as the teams tied for third with identical 14-over 590s in the stroke play portion.
"We are familiar with LSU. We played with them at the Central District Invitational last year and only beat them by a shot or two," said Evans. "They are a real tough, good team and it should be a great match.
"But, we really came here to win that medal and can take care of it tomorrow with a win over LSU."
Action in the championship match will begin at 8 a.m. Fans can follow all the action with live scoring at www.GolfStat.com.