PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – The Fire are challenging themselves with each event. Southeastern University battled hard in a tough Barry Invitational women's golf field dotted by six NCAA II programs, including three in the top 18 and the No. 2 ranked NAIA competitor, finishing ninth in the ten-team field.
Maria Stephens guided the SEU effort in the top-notch individual field. The senior shot consistent sub-80 rounds and garnered 15th place with a 235-stroke total. She recorded three of the Fire's top five rounds with a 79 on Sunday and Tuesday with her best 77 for Round 2.
In the team standings, SEU scored 974 strokes for a +110 over par. No. 11 in DII Nova Southeastern ran away with the top place by 26 strokes with a +35 (899). Florida Southern and No. 7 DII Lynn University were second (+61/925) and third (+69/933).
As it was with the team top finish, Nova Southeastern saw the top three finishers be from its lineup with Lua Pousa Dacasa (+7/223) ahead of both Haruka Muta and Maria Torres by two strokes (+9/225).
After Stephens in the Fire lineup, Madelyn Campbell continued her surging play in 23rd with a +22 score and 238 strokes. The third-year golfer shot the team's best round to start the event with a 76 before she added 81 and 81 the final two days.
Fellow junior Alejandra Cuellar posted SEU's final sub-80 round with a second round 79. For the Invite, Cuellar totaled 252 strokes for a +36 (43rd) as she hit an 84 and 89 for the first and third rounds of play.
Senior Marlie Smit and first-year Mariana Espinosa completed the Fire quintet and were separated by a single stroke. Smit had her best round on day two with an 82 surrounded by scores of 83 and 91 for a 256 total (+40) in 49th, while Espinosa started her play with her own 82 before she finished with an 89 and 86 for the 257 (+41) in 51st.
SEU travels to Lebanon, Tennessee on April 6-8 for the Cumberland University Invitational.
