Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Red Rocks Invitational
No. 31 'Cats Hang on to Win Red Rocks Invitational
3/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
March 4, 2007
SEDONA, Ariz. -- No. 31 Northwestern lived up to its billing as the highest-ranked team at the Red Rocks Invitational, holding off Washington State on Sunday to win by a single stroke.
The title was the team's second of the season, as they also won the Lady Paladin Invitational last October. On a day of seconds, Liliana Alvarez (Durango, Mexico/American School of Durango) also earned the team's second medalist honor of the season, shooting a final-round 74 to lead the Wildcats and tie for medalist honors with the Cougars' Diana Hong at 3-over 147 (73-74=147).
After leading for most of the day, the 'Cats were trailing heading into their final holes. Washington State held a three-shot lead with one hole remaining for each player.
A double bogey and a bogey by the Cougars opened the door for the 'Cats, and Northwestern's experienced squad came through in the clutch. Four Wildcats made a par on their final hole, while Alvarez came up with a huge birdie to tie herself for medalist honors and give the Wildcats a one-shot victory in the team race.
The day began with a few holes remaining from the opening round and the Wildcats holding a one-stroke lead over Big Ten rival Michigan. By the end of the first round, the 'Cats opened up a nine-shot lead, thanks to a first-round total of 11-over 299 - a round which tied the 'Cats second-best round of the season.
A second-round 302 and 36-hole total of 25-over 601 (299-302-601) by the 'Cats proved to be just enough for victory, as Washington State fired a final-round 292 to almost come back from 11 shots down.
Besides Alvarez, two other Wildcats posted top-15 finishes. Alice Kim (Los Angeles, Calif./Brentwood) completed an even-par 72 for her first round to hold the individual lead, but shot a final-round 76 to fall back into a tie for third at 4-over 148 (72-76=148), one shot behind her teammate.
After completing an opening-round 76, Brittany Johnston (Akron, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) shot a 5-over 77 in her final round to finish tied for 14th at 9-over 153 (76-77=153).
Jennifer Hong (Windermere, Fla./The First Academy) rebounded on day two, shooting the Wildcats' second-best round -- a 3-over 75 -- to finish in a tie for 26th (82-75=157) and help the 'Cats to the team title.
Senior Heather Scholten (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) rounded out the team scoring for the Wildcats, shooting a 36-hole total of 14-over 158 (80-78=158) as she finished in a tie for 30th.
Junior Justina Yu (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman), competing as an individual, finished 23rd with a 12-over 156 (78-78).
Final results for the Red Rocks Invitational can be found at Red Rocks Invitational.
