SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Auburn women's golf team's postseason magic came up short Tuesday as the No. 6 seed Tigers fell to No. 3 Oklahoma State, 4-1-0, in the NCAA Championship quarterfinals.
"This was a tough loss, and we acknowledged the disappointment after the match," head coach Melissa Luellen said. "I told them how proud I am of them, their fight, their love for each other and their love for Auburn."
The Tigers showed a lot of heart all week after starting slowly in round one. The team made an impressive run up the leaderboard on the last two days of stroke play. Auburn moved up six spots in the third round to reach the top 15 cutline and then capped stroke play Monday with an impressive 10-under 278 to finish sixth and advance to match play for the second consecutive NCAA Championship.
"This team has amazing heart," Luellen said. "To dig that deep to get into the top eight was an amazing feat. This group just loves Auburn, and I am so proud of how they represent our school."
Fifth-year senior Elena Hualde Zúñiga was Auburn's lone winner as she was 2-up with one hole to go. The Pamplona, Spain product led most of the match, picking up a birdie on the 10th hole at the start to get the early advantage. She went 2-up on the 18th and held the lead on the front nine to finish out the round.
"I am so proud of Elena and how she's led this team in the postseason," Luellen said. "She is going to be missed so much and has left her mark on this program!"
Sophomore Megan Schofill was behind most of the day, going down as much as three. The Monticello, Florida native battled back to go 1-down on hole seven and hit a long putt on No. 8 for birdie to remain down one. She birdied the ninth to tie the match and force extras, but her Cowgirl opponent bested her on the 19th hole to win the point.
Senior Kaleigh Telfer was in a tight race all day and came up just short, falling 2&1. Classmate Mychael O'Berry and freshman Anna Foster each lost their matches 3&2.
Despite the finish, the future continues to be bright for the team as four of the five competitors from the week are set to return next year. Telfer, O'Berry and classmate Julie McCarthy will utilize the extra year granted by the NCAA and come back for a fifth season.
"I think our future is definitely bright as we have a very competitive group that just doesn't like to lose," Luellen said. "We're excited for what's to come for Auburn women's golf."
Match Play Results - Quarterfinals
No. 3 Oklahoma State def. No. 6 Auburn, 4-1-0
Maja Stark (OSU) def. Kaleigh Telfer (AU), 2&1
Isabella Fierro (OSU) def. Megan Schofill (AU), 1 UP
Lianna Bailey (OSU) def. Anna Foster (AU), 3&2
Rina Tatematsu (OSU) def. Mychael O'Berry (AU), 3&2
Elena Hualde Zúñiga (AU) def. Maddison Hinson-Tolchard (OSU), 2 UP