YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Fire left everything on the course Wednesday, showing marked improvement in round two of the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship. Southeastern University shaved nine strokes off its team total but ultimately missed the cut, ending their season.
Junior Madelyn Campbell delivered the standout performance of the day, slicing eight strokes off her opening round to post a 2-over-par 74. Her effort propelled her 33 spots up the individual leaderboard into a tie for 49th, with a two-day total of 156 (+12).
As a team, Southeastern moved up one place to 21st after posting a second-round 318, bringing its 36-hole total to 645 (+69). Only the top 15 teams advanced to the final two rounds of the 30-team championship.
Top-ranked University of British Columbia maintained its tournament lead with a 9-over-par 585. Marian (Ind.) followed in second at 597 (+21), with Keiser University third at 600 (+24).
On the individual leaderboard, British Columbia's Jessica Ng held a four-stroke lead with a 6-under-par 138. SCAD-Savannah's Sharon Shan followed at 2-under (142), and Marian's Emma Weiler was third at 1-under (143) as the only other golfer under par.
Behind Campbell, Southeastern's scores remained tightly grouped. Maria Stephens carded consecutive rounds of 81 to finish at 162 (+18), tied for 87th.
Alejandra Cuellar lowered her score to 81 in round two for a total of 163 (+19), tied for 92nd. Freshman Mariana Espinosa posted consistent rounds of 82 for a 164 (+20) total, tied for 103rd.
Rounding out the Fire lineup, senior Marli Smit improved by one stroke on day two with an 86 (+14), finishing at 173 (+29) and tied for 132nd.
