Pinehurst, N.C. – Led by top 10 efforts from freshman Laura Sanchez and junior Charlotte Guilleux, the Georgia State women's golf team completed Saturday's second round of the CAA Championships two strokes back from the leader and in a tie for second place at the par 72, 6,002-yard Pinehurst No. 6.
Although the sun remained behind the clouds for much of the day's competition, the weather presented more ideal playing conditions than the rain and cool temperatures that graced the course Friday. Entering day two at the top of the leader board, Georgia State shot a second-round 310 (+22) to drop one spot in the rankings. The Panthers stand in a tie for the runner-up position with James Madison entering Sunday's final round.
“As a team, we haven't played our best golf yet,” said head coach Cathy Mant. “We have had a couple of individual performances that have been good but it is going to take a full team effort. That is the challenge we face tomorrow, and I know we are up for it. I look for a great competition tomorrow. It is going to be a tight race. The other teams are gunning for us. ”
Sanchez led the Panthers through the second round with a 1-over 73, bettering her opening-round score by seven strokes. Despite collecting bogeys on holes two and 11, the freshman recorded a birdie on the eighth and maintained even par on the remaining 15 holes. With her improvement throughout day two, Sanchez moved up 14 spots on the leader board and stands in a tie for seventh place at 9-over par with 18 holes to play.
Guilleux matched her opening-round 75 (+3) during day two to move up three slots in the standings. The junior landed two birdies on the back nine to enter the final round with a portion of second place and a combined score of 150 (+6).
Freshman Solveig Helgesen dropped into a tie for 13th place following a second round 80 and stands 10-over par entering Sunday's final round.
Junior Charlotte Lorentzen shot 82 during the second round to claim sole possession of 24th place. The Soroe, Denmark native made a pair of birdies before the turn for an opening-nine 39 and is 16-over with one round of strokeplay remaining.
Redshirt-junior Cherishton Brett landed a birdie on the ninth hole to finish with a second round 86. She shares a portion of 42nd place with a combined score 170 (+26) entering Sunday.
“I feel the pain for Charlotte (Lorentzen),” said Mant. “She has had so much on her shoulders throughout the year to carry her team, but if anyone can pull it together, she can. I have to congratulate Laura on her fine 73 today and Charlotte (Guilleux) on her consistent play. Everyone will give a 100 percent effort tomorrow, I can guarantee it.”
The Panthers are working towards their third consecutive CAA Championship. The team has won three overall titles with the first coming in 2006, its inaugural year with the CAA, and the remaining two in 2009 and 2010.
After finishing day one at the bottom half of the leader board, Xavier registered the best round of the day, 302(+14), to climb six spots in the standings and take over the top spot with a total score of 615 (+39). The Musketeers hold a two-stroke lead over Georgia State and James Madison, who are tied for second at 617 (+41). UNC Wilmington now stands alone in fourth place with 618 (+42).
In the individual competition, Caroline Sweet of William and Mary held on to first place with a second round 75 and is 3-over par for the tournament. Just two strokes back from Sweet is the quartet tied for second place, all at 6-over par. Guilleux joins Richmond's Jillian Fraccola and James Madison's Ginger Mak and Nicole Sakamoto in the runner-up position, all of whom will be fighting for medalist honors during Sunday's third and final round.
The Panthers wrap up competition at the CAA Championships Sunday with their final round tee times beginning at 8:45 a.m. off the first tee. Georgia State will be paired with Xavier and James Madison.
Live stats are available via GolfStat.com. Full recaps of each round will be posted at www.GeorgiaStateSports.com when play concludes for the day.
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