Georgia State women's golf finished second of 17 at the 2010 UCF Challenge Tuesday at the par-72, 6,301 yard RedTail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla. Sophomore Charlotte Lorentzen led the Panthers with 218 (+2) to tie for fourth place overall.
Entering the final round, the Panthers held a seven stroke lead, and Lorentzen lurked only two shots back of leader Julia Boland of Texas A&M. Lorentzen posted six birdies en route to a career-low 68 on Monday, and positioned herself in a tie for second overall.
In the second round, the Soroe, Denmark native added a 74 to post 142 (-2), placing her in a tie for third, two shots back of 28th-ranked Julia Boland of Texas A&M. Boland leads the tournament at four-under par.
On Tuesday, 25-mile per hour winds took their toll on the field, and Texas A&M prevailed, taking home the team championship, medalist honors (28th-ranked Julia Boland), and runner-up (Sarah Zwartynski).
"They earned it today, Texas A&M played some great golf. They had some players that really shined today, and you can't fault our effort," said Georgia State head coach Cathy Mant.
Freshman Ellie Robinson posted her best career finish, picking up seven spots on the final afternoon with a 75 (+3) to earn a share of 15th place. Robinson's 71 on Monday equaled her career-low, set at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate in the fall.
Senior Cathrine Madsen came away with a share of 17th place after a final round 81. Madsen continued her run of posting at least a top-20 in every stroke play event of the season.
Junior Iliska Verwey returned to form, moving up 20 spots with a final round 75. Senior Sandra Maier moved into 38th with a 78.
"We put together some great scores out there," said Mant. "Yes, it hurts to let this one slip away, but there was some great golf played out there today. We'll have to learn from it."
Georgia State fell victim more to Texas A&M's superb play, than their own mistakes, as the Aggies posted the best team score of the day by a full nine shots. The Panthers' round of 304 (+16) tied Coastal Carolina for the second-best scorecard of the day.
For the second tournament in a row, Georgia State finished second by a slim margin, two shots back. Two weeks ago, the Panthers fell just one shot shy of UCF at the Hurricane Intercollegiate.
"We're making a few mistakes, but finishing second shows the talent and what the girls are capable of," said Mant. "If we can improve on that, we'll be good to go, and looking forward to the rest of the season. Everybody participated, everyone contributed. We had a good, team effort all week."
The Panthers turned the event into a two-team contest down the home stretch, with Coastal Carolina coming in third, nine shots back. Georgia State also exacted a measure of revenge on UCF by picking up an 18 shot victory over the hosts.
The Panthers' opening round team total of 292 (+4) marked their best since the final round of the 2009 Golfweek Conference Challenge.
"We're proud of the team," said Mant. "We're looking forward to host our tournament, and hopefully winning there."
Georgia State will return to competition in three weeks as they host the John Kirk/Panther Intercollegiate at Eagle's Landing C.C. in Stockbridge, Ga.
T4. Charlotte Lorentzen 68-74-76--218 (+2)
T15. Ellie Robinson 71-79-75--225 (+9)
T17. Cathrine Madsen 73-72-81--226 (+10)
T38. Sandra Maier 80-74-78--232 (+16)
T53. Iliska Verwey 81-81-75--237 (+23)
1. Texas A&M 293-305-295--893 (+29)
2. Georgia State 292-299-304--895 (+31)
3. Coastal Carolina 302-298-304--904 (+40)
4. College of Charleston 299-300-306--905 (+41)
5. Baylor 300-298-309--907 (+43)
T6. UCF 301-297-315--913 (+49)
T6. Furman 304-296-313--913 (+49)
8. SMU 303-301-312--916 (+52)
9. Oklahoma 298-301-319--918 (+54)
10. UNC-Greensboro 303-304-312--919 (+55)
11. Indiana 303-300-321--924 (+60)
12. South Florida 306-305-316--927 (+63)
13. East Carolina 311-305-312--928 (+64)
14. UT-San Antonio 307-309-314--930 (+66)
15. Augusta State 314-301-323--938 (+74)
16. Miami 311-318-315--944 (+80)
17. Nebraska 312-315-318--945 (+81)
