HOUSTON, Texas - The Saint Mary's golf team shaved 22 strokes off of yesterday's score for a 319 on day two of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament at Bay Oaks Country Club.

 

New York University moved into the team lead with a 302 on Wednesday for a two-day total of 613. Methodist University is in second (614) while Williams College is in third (615). The Belles moved up from 19th place into a tie with Mary Hardin-Baylor for 16th place with two-day scores of 660. Additionally, the Belles' 319 was the eleventh-best score of the day. The 22-stroke improvement was the second-best improvement by any team in the field from Tuesday to Wednesday (St. Scholastica, 25-stroke improvement).

 

Individually, there is a three-way tie for the top position going into day three. Nina Kouchi from Grinnell College, Ziyi Wang from Carleton College, and Emily Salamy from Rhodes College all have 36-hole totals of 149. Five individuals sit just one stroke back with scores of 150 as the tournament hits its midway point.

 

Hunter Kehoe led the Belles with a five-over par 77 on Wednesday. Her two-day score of 158 puts her in a tie for 37th place overall going into Thursday's round. The sophomore had nine pars and did not have a score above a bogey on the day. Kehoe added birdies on the par five No. 11 and par three No. 14 holes en route to a one-over effort on the back nine.

 

Sydney Hruskoci fired a 78 and is tied for 45th with a two-day score of 159. The freshman had a team-best 11 pars on Wednesday. She sunk a birdie on the par four No. 9 and did not have a score above a bogey over her final 12 holes of play in the round.

 

Summer Stillson posted a 79 on day two and holds a share of 78th place with a 168 through 36 holes of play. The sophomore had a team-high three birdies in the round with under-par scores on par three No. 3, par five No. 7, and par four No. 17.

 

Maggie Sexton wrapped up the team score with an 85 on day two and is tied for 97th place with a 175 overall. The freshman had eight pars in the round, including four consecutive pars to start the day for the best team effort on the opening four holes.

 

Hannah Finley shot an 87 and is tied for 102nd with a two-day score of 179. She drained a birdie on the par four No. 9 hole before making the turn and had six pars on the day.

 

The Belles begin day three of the NCAA Division III Championship at 8:40 a.m. CDT on Thursday. Saint Mary's will begin play on hole No. 10. In order to qualify for Friday's final round of play, Saint Mary's must sit in the top 15 in team standings after tomorrow's round.