Women's Golf Finishes Ahead Of Defending CAA Champion At Cougar Classic
09/12/2006 | Women's Golf
Sept. 12, 2006
CHARLETON, S.C. - Playing against the toughest tournament field it will face all year the Richmond women's golf team placed 16th at the College of Charleton's Cougar Classic, including finishing ahead of defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Georgia State.
With three of the five players in the lineup taking part in their first collegiate golf tournament as freshmen, the Spiders shot a 26-over-par 314 in Tuesday's final round to finish the tournament at 71-over-par 935 (310-311-314). That put Richmond one shot ahead of Georgia State, which finished at 72-over 936 in 17th place. The Spiders finished third at the 2005 CAA Championship.
"We wanted to make a move today, it was a small move, but it was a move up," Richmond head coach Leighann Rastede Albaugh said. "I've got a pretty clear map of things we need to work on as a team to improve, but I'm pleased with the way we played in this tournament."
"It just goes to show the team that we have right now has a lot of potential," Richmond senior Ashley Lambert said. "I don't think anyone on the team played up to their potential for all three rounds, but in the end we showed we can beat the best team in our conference. With the drive this team has, the sky is the limit."
The Spiders also finished ahead of Kentucky, which placed 18th at 76-over-par 940. Florida State won the tournament with an 873, edging North Carolina by one stroke.
"Our freshmen did a great job stepping up," Rastede Albaugh said. "It was their first college golf tournament so they had no idea what to expect. They go out there against teams like UNC and Florida State and all of a sudden they realize they can hang."
Richmond freshman Victoria Kidder led the way for the Spiders, tying for 49th with a 14-over-par 230 (74-75-81). Sophomore Rosario Germino tied for 53rd at 15-over 231 (76-78-77) and senior Ashley Lambert shot her second-straight round of 77 to tie for 60th at 18-over-par 234. Freshman Lauren Folgosa tied for 90th with a 247 and freshman Anne Sprick shot a 79 on Tuesday to finish the tourney at 257.
"I just can't say enough about how great a group of kids I have," Rastede Albaugh said. "They all play from the heart and all want to play well. They live and die with each shot, but at the end of the day, they all have each others backs. If somebody had a bad day, they boost them up. It's just great team chemistry. That has a big impact, when they feel at the end of the day that their biggest fans are riding home with them in the van."
Richmond returns to action on Sept. 22 at the three-day Penn State Lady Lion Invitational.