NEWTON, Kan. – SWOSU Women's Golf competed in the Newman Invitational over the past two days, finishing in second place behind two top-10 individual performances.
The Dawgs were just four shots back of the lead midway through the final round, but strong finishes by Missouri Western (+20) and Nebraska Kearney (+34) pushed them ahead, leaving SWOSU in third at +36.
Maria Velilla led the Lady Dawgs for the first time in her career, carding rounds of 71-72 to secure second place. She finished at 1-under, one of only two players in the field to break par, trailing only Missouri Western's Saya Schweitzer (-6). Velilla totaled five birdies and just two bogeys across 36 holes, but a double bogey on a par five in round two kept her from shooting under par in both rounds. Her 28 pars across 36 holes led the field.
Freya Sala continued her strong start to the season by shooting a 76-75. She was able to improve her score in round two thanks to three birdies after recording just one in the opener. Sala now sits 2-for-2 in top 10s this season after placing T-4 in her debut.
Daniela Espinoza bounced back in a big way after opening with an 82, posting a 73 in round two—the best score of any Lady Bulldog outside of Velilla. Despite six bogeys, a double, and a quadruple bogey in the first round, she steadied herself with five birdies in the final 18 holes to close at +1. Espinoza finished with seven birdies in the tournament, second most of any golfer in the field.
Nerea Anton (+20) recorded two birdies in her opening round, while
London Wilson (+22) collected four birdies overall but was undone by seven double bogeys or worse.
The Lady Bulldogs now turn their attention to the Grace Shin Invitational, hosted by UCO at the Golf Club of Edmond on October 6-7.
NSU Women's Classic
Monday-Tuesday, September 29-30
Newton, Kan. (Sand Creek Station G.C.)
Complete Results (website link)
