Sandra Maier led the 27th-ranked Georgia State women's golf team to a conference title Sunday at the 2009 Colonial Athletic Association Championships at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Ga. by posting a third place finish.
Maier tamed the 6,030 yard par 70 Lake View course at Callaway Gardens with a final round of 73 placing her third overall, two shots back of medalist Carmen Perez-Narbon from UNC Wilmington.
Georgia State overcame a three stroke deficit, Sunday, to take the team title away from UNC Wilmington. The Panthers posted a 290 on the final day, besting UNC Wilmington's 294 to take the crown by one stroke.
For the week, Georgia State finished at 304-296-290?890 (+50). The Panthers final round of 290 ties the school record for lowest third round score.
“I was confident, going in, that we would have a good day, and the girls stepped up,” said Georgia State head coach Cathy Mant. “I'm so happy and proud of them for how hard they have worked and the success they have had. This is something we strive for, and we are excited about it.”
Anna Scott finished one stroke back of Maier by firing a final round 71, tying the second best score of the tournament. Scott finished in fourth place alone, extending her streak of top-five finishes to four events.
By posting top five finishes, Scott and Maier were both named to the CAA All-Tournament team.
“I tried not to put any pressure on them, the girls are always playing hard no matter what,” said Coach Mant. “I wanted them to go out an play their game and it gave us the good start we needed to get the win.”
Sophomore Iliska Verwey matched Scott's final round with a 71 of her own, climbing the leaderboard on Sunday to finish in ninth place, her fifth top-10 of the season.
Junior Cathrine Madsen finished her title defense with a 75 and earning a 12th place finish.
Playing in her first conference championship, freshman Charlotte Lorentzen finished with an 80, sending her to 13th place.
The team victory gives the Panthers their sixth team victory of the season, extending a school record, and their second CAA Championship in four years as a conference member.
The win also assures Georgia State a berth in the NCAA Regionals, their fifth in seven years.
“This is a great way to kick off the postseason as we head to the Regionals. It's something we can build on,” said Coach Mant. “We have a couple of weeks to work and celebrate, but then it's on to the next step. The girls are very deserving of this victory.”
The 2009 CAA Championship marks the fourth conference championship won during head coach Cathy Mant's career.
The Panthers must now focus on the NCAA Regionals which take place from May 7th-9th. Georgia State's site of competition is still to be determined.
