DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Led by freshman Faith Garcia (Stamford, Conn./Staples), who finished in the top-30, the Monmouth University women's golf team landed in 11th overall at the Lonnie Barton Invitational, held at the par-72, 6049-yard LPGA International-Jones Course. The Blue and White fired rounds of 330 and 343 to end the 36-hole event with 673.
LIU Brooklyn earned the team title, compiling 624 over the two-days followed by Siena which carded 635 for second. Albany finished third, three strokes behind the Saints, and edged St. Francis (Pa.) by a shot, while St. John's registered 640 to earn fifth, followed by Sacred Heart and Lehigh which finished in sixth and seventh after posting 646 and 650, respectively. Wagner, Bucknell and Quinnipiac all registered 660 to share eighth followed by MU, which bested Fairfield by a stroke. Delaware State (682) and Central Connecticut State (691) rounded out the 14-team field.
Garcia led the way for the Hawks for the fourth time this season. The rookie duplicated rounds of 82 to finish with 164, good for a share of 30th overall against over 80 competitors. The first-year Hawk finished two strokes in front of classmate Sarah Kokotajlo (Ewing, N.J./Ewing), who opened the tournament with a 78, two shots off her season-best round. Freshman Erin DiDonato (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton) notched rounds of 83 and 88 to ink 171, followed by Jessica Kavanagh (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Boro) who registered an 85 on Tuesday, two strokes off her first round score, to end the event in with 172, while Rebecca Gaona (Howell, N.J./Howell) shot 175 (87-88) over the 36-holes to complete the Hawks' card. Playing as individuals, Kaitlin Clancy (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West) shaved seven shots off her first round score to finish the tournament with 173 (90-83) and Ashley Navin (Ware, Mass./Quabbin Regional) shot 185 (91-94) over the two days.
Monmouth returns to the links March 30-31 at the Georgetown Hoya Invitational which will be played at the Members Club at Four Streams in Beallsville, Md.
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