Junior Danae Rugola finished tied for 21st to lead the Youngstown State women's golf team at the season-opening Nittany Lion Invitational at the Penn State White Course in University Park, Pa.
As a team, YSU finished 13th with a three-round total of 915. The Penguins recorded rounds of 305 and 295 on Saturday before carding a 315 in the final session on Sunday.
Rugola, who finished with a career-best three-round score of 221, posted two even-par rounds of 72 in the first two rounds on Saturday before concluding the event with a 77 in Sunday's final round. The Uniontown, Pa., native was tied for ninth after the first two rounds of play.
Rugola's first-round 72 featured 12 pars and three birdies as she made par or better on 13 of her first 15 holes. The junior notched birdies on No. 11, No. 17 and No. 4 during the first round. Rugola's second-round 72 also included 12 pars and three birdies as she made par or better on 14 of her final 16 holes. She birdied No. 13, No. 17 and No. 8 during the second session. Rugola's final-round 77 featured 12 pars and a birdie on the par-three No. 16.
Madie Smithco finished tied for 53rd with a career-best three-round score of 228 (77-75-76). The sophomore's first-round 77 included 11 pars and a birdie on the par-five No. 3 as she made par or better on six of her final seven holes. Smithco's second-round 75, which marked the lowest round of her career, featured 13 pars and a birdie on the par-three No. 14. She made par or better on nine of her final 10 holes in the second round. Smithco's final-round 76 included 12 pars and a birdie on the par-five No. 13. She made par or better on seven of her first eight holes to shoot a one-over-par 36 on the back nine.
Puthita Khuanrudee finished the event with a three-round 233 (78-74-81). The senior's first-round 78 featured 11 pars and a birdie on the par-four No. 4. Her second-round 74 included 13 pars and a pair of birdies as she made par or better on 14 of her final 16 holes. Khuanrudee recorded a one-under-par 36 on the front nine during the second round.
Lizzie Saur finished with a three-round total of 235 (80-74-81) in her collegiate debut. The true freshman's first-round 80 featured 10 pars and a birdie on the par-four No. 17. She made par or better on nine of her first 11 holes on her way to shooting a one-over-par 36 on the back nine. Saur's second-round 74 included 13 pars and two birdies as she made par or better on each of her final 13 holes. She carded a one-under-par 36 on the front nine during the second session.
Jenna Vivo concluded the tournament with a three-round 241 (78-82-81). The senior's first-round 78 featured 12 pars and a birdie on the par-five No. 10 as she made par or better on 12 of her final 14 holes. Vivo's final-round 81 included nine pars and a birdie on the par-four No. 11.
Penn State claimed the tournament title at 13 under par with a three-round team total of 851. The Nittany Lions finished 12 strokes ahead of runner-up Delaware. Penn State's Mathilde Delavallade earned medalist honors by three strokes at 10 under par with a three-round 206 (69-68-69).
Youngstown State will continue its fall season on Sept. 13-14 when it plays host to the Roseann Schwartz Invitational at Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman, Ohio.
For news and updates throughout the fall season, follow @YSUWomensGolf on Twitter.
