Youngstown State University
University of Dayton Fall Invitational
Penguins, Khuanrudee Finish Fifth at University of Dayton Fall Invitational
10/15/2019 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Kettering, Ohio - Sophomore Puthita Khuanrudee tied for fifth to lead the Youngstown State women's golf team to a fifth-place finish in the University of Dayton Fall Invitational at NCR Country Club on Tuesday.
Khuanrudee fired a two-round score of 150 (71-79) to earn her third top-five finish of the fall, and the sixth of her career. The sophomore has been YSU's top finisher in each of the team's first five events of the season. It was her second consecutive top-10 placing at Dayton's event after finishing tied for ninth as a freshman last October.
Khuanrudee's one-over-par 71 in the first round, which featured 13 pars and two birdies, matched her career-low round. She was just one shot off the lead heading into Tuesday's second and final round. She carded a final-round 79 that included eight pars and a birdie on the par-five No. 12 to finish tied for fifth with four other golfers.
In their final event of the fall season, the Penguins finished with a two-round team total of 615. After posting a 308 in the first round on Monday, YSU came back to record a 307 in Tuesday's final session. Youngstown State was eight strokes back of the lead in fifth place after one round of play, and finished 10 shots behind the winning score in the same position. The Penguins conclude the fall slate with three top-five team finishes in five events.
Christina Lewis (76-78) and Victoria Grans (78-76) each turned in a two-round 154 to finish tied for 18th. Lewis has now notched three top-20 finishes over her first five collegiate tournaments. Her second-round 78 featured eight pars and a birdie at the par-four No. 5.
Grans earned her second straight top-20 finish and her third of the fall overall. The sophomore's first-round 78 included a pair of birdies that came at the par-four No. 7 and the par-four No. 16. Grans' second-round 76 saw her make 10 pars and birdie at No. 7. It was her lowest round since firing a four-over-par 74 in the second round of the Bucknell Invitational on Sept. 14.
Danae Rugola tied for 32nd after shooting a two-round score of 157 (83-74). After a difficult first round, the freshman bounced back on Tuesday with a four-over-par 74 that featured 12 pars and a birdie at the par-four No. 10. Rugola's second-round performance was her best since carding a two-over 72 in the final round of the Bucknell Invitational on Sept. 15.
Tori Utrup finished the event with a two-round mark of 168 (84-84). The junior, who was originally slated to play as an individual, was thrust into the team lineup after Jenna Vivo was unable to compete due to illness.
Butler took home the tournament title with a two-round team total of 605 after surviving a furious final-round push from the host Dayton. The Bulldogs fired a first-round 300 to take a one-shot lead over Illinois State into the final session. The Flyers, who began the final round 11 strokes back of the lead in sixth place, recorded a tournament-low 297 on Tuesday to make a run at the Bulldogs.
Butler posted a final-round 305 to hold on for a three-stroke victory over Dayton and Findlay, who each tied for second. Illinois State and YSU rounded out the top five with the Redbirds finishing four shots ahead of the Penguins. Youngstown State placed ahead of nine teams including Horizon League foes Cleveland State, Detroit Mercy and Northern Kentucky.
Playing as an individual, Ohio State's Sofia Seldemirova won medalist honors with a two-round score of 143 (74-69). Her one-under-par 69 in the second round marked the only sub-par round of the event. Ellie Cronin of Dayton was the runner up with a two-round 145 (70-75).
Youngstown State is currently scheduled to begin the spring portion of its 2019-20 season on March 1-3 with the Kiawah Island Spring Classic hosted by College of Charleston at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C.
For news and updates throughout the season, follow @YSUWomensGolf on Twitter.
