Mandi Morrow

Morrow, Germino shoot 72s to pace team's effort

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Kent State women's golf team used the steady play from a pair of seniors Sunday to move up to 14^th place at the Lady Gator Invitational, hosted by the University of Florida at Mark Bostick Golf Course.

The Golden Flashes trimmed three more strokes off its team score to finish with a 918 for the tournament.

Senior Mercedes Germino (Necochea, Argentina) moved up to a tie for 24^th place with a two-over 72 on Sunday. Germino had one birdie to three bogeys and was even-par 35 on the front nine to pace the Golden Flashes.

After struggling on Saturday, senior Mandi Morrow (Kent, Ohio) regrouped to post a two-over 72, lifted by birdies on No. 14 and No. 9, both par-4s. Her round helped Morrow finish tied for 52^nd, up 24 spots from Saturday.

Freshman Jennifer Ha (Calgary, Alberta) struggled Sunday, dropping to 60^th overall after a 10-over 80 in her final round.

Sophomore Erin Hawe (Walton, New Zealand) was unable to keep pace from her Saturday round, posting a nine-over 79 to finish 71^st overall.

Junior Jackie Yanch (Barrie, Ontario) placed 87^th overall after a 10-over 80 on Sunday.Senior Shamira Marshall (Macedonia, Ohio), playing as an unattached individual, finished tied for 85^th with a 241 after carding an 84 on Sunday.

Host Florida took the team title, edging second-ranked Alabama by one stroke. Florida State's Maria Salias fired a tournament-low 66 to finish with a four-under 206 on the par 70 course.

The Golden Flashes will return to intercollegiate competition for the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic March 30-April 1 in Athens, Ga.