Final Results (.pdf) I Photo Gallery

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. - It was dicey down the stretch, but the IUPUI women's golf staved off a hard charging Oakland University squad to capture the program's first-ever conference championship and NCAA Regional berth on Tuesday (Apr. 24). IUPUI carded a final round 318 and closed the 54-hole tournament at 937 (317-302-318), five shots clear of Oakland. 

Horizon League Player of the Year #Aneta Abrahamova# was brilliant down the stretch, making three birdies on her final three holes to get to 3-over 76 for the day. She and sophomore #Marion Debove# keyed the Jaguars' balanced lineup as both finished among the tournament's top five. Debove ended tied for third at 229 (79-72-78) and Abrahamova vaulted to fifth at 230 (80-74-76). 

"She's a champ," head coach #Jamie Broce# said of Abrahamova. "For as tough and talented as this group is, Aneta is the Jags. She's pretty much led this team. She was her best when we needed her most today and that's the sign of a champion. She had an unbelievable up-and-down on 18 to make birdie."

Freshman #Nicole Howard# collected a huge top-10 performance at 237 (80-75-82) and classmate Amelie Svejda tied for 11th at 241 (78-81-82). Junior #Elizabeth Orr# rounded out the Jaguars' lineup at 257 (84-85-88). 

"[Nicole] has been getting a little bit better and a little bit better. Her ball striking is always good, but yesterday, it really came together," Broce said.

IUPUI entered the day with 16 shots of breathing room, but ultimately needed every bit of it. 

"I think the team was really feeling the pressure," Broce said. "It takes a champion to kind of walk through that and come out a winner. Everybody had to fight hard throughout."

Svejda dialed up a timely birdie on No. 14 before Abrahamova anchored the victory with three straight of her own. The other four members of the lineup found some pars late, matching Oakland shot-for-shot down the stretch. Debove made a double bogey on No. 16, but sandwiched it with five pars to get in at 5-over 78. It was her par on No. 18 that ultimately capped the victory. 

UIC's Kelly Sterling won medalist honors over OU's Veronica Haque in a playoff as both finished at 228. Debove led for much of the day, but her double bogey on No. 16 pushed her back to a tie for third.  

Broce's team will learn it's regional assignment on Wednesday. 

The 2018 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships selections announcement will take place tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., on Golf Channel's Golf Central and streamed live on the Golf Channel website. IUPUI will be among 72 teams selected to compete at one of four regional championships, each featuring 18 teams and six individuals, May 7-9.
               
The four regional sites include TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, California, hosted by Stanford; the University of Texas Golf Club in Austin, Texas, hosted by Texas; the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin, hosted by Wisconsin; and the Don Veller Seminole Golf Course & Club in Tallahassee, Florida, hosted by Florida State.

Team Standings
1. IUPUI - 317-302-318=937 (+61)
2. Oakland - 320-315-307=942 (+66)
3. Cleveland State - 334-315-316=965 (+89)
4. UIC - 330-316-327=973 (+97)
5. Green Bay - 333-334-318=985 (+109)
6. Northern Kentucky - 339-317-330=986 (+110)
7. Youngstown State - 335-343-324=1,002 (+126)
8. Detroit Mercy - 331-331-346=1,008 (+132)

Player Standings
t-3. #Marion Debove# - 79-72-78=229 (+10)
5. #Aneta Abrahamova# - 80-74-76=230 (+11)
9. #Nicole Howard# - 80-75-82=237 (+18)
t-11. #Amelie Svejda# - 78-81-82=241 (+22)
t-33. #Elizabeth Orr# - 84-85-88=257 (+38)