Youngstown State University
Nittany Lion Invitational hosted by Penn State
Rugola Leads Penguins to Fourth-Place Finish at Nittany Lion Invitational
9/18/2022 3:02:00 PM | Women's Golf
Senior Danae Rugola finished tied for fourth place individually to lead the Youngstown State women's golf team to a fourth-place team finish in the Nittany Lion Invitational, which concluded on Sunday at the Penn State Blue Course in University Park, Pa.
The Penguins finished with a three-round team total of 890, which ranks as the second-lowest 54-hole performance in program history. After posting a 300 in the opening round on Saturday, YSU improved with a 294 in the second round and a 296 in the final session on Sunday.
Rugola finished tied for fourth place with a career-best three-round score of 217 (71-71-75). She was tied for third place following the first two rounds after recording a pair of one-under-par 71's on Saturday. The senior's opening-round 71 featured 10 pars and five birdies as she made par or better on 11 of her first 12 holes. Rugola's second-round 71 included 13 pars and three birdies as she made par or better on 15 of her final 16 holes. The Uniontown, Pa., native finished the tournament with a final-round 75 that featured nine pars and three birdies. Rugola's three-round 217 is tied for the third-lowest 54-hole score in program history.
Puthita Khuanrudee finished tied for 11th with a three-round 220 (76-71-73). The fifth-year senior's first-round 76 included 14 pars while her second-round 71 featured 11 pars and four birdies. The native of Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, fired a three-under-par 33 on the front nine during the second session on Saturday. Khuanrudee's final-round 73 on Sunday included 13 pars and a pair of birdies as she made par or better on 11 of her first 12 holes. She shot an even-par 36 on the back nine during the final round.
Titita Loudtragulngam finished tied for 25th with a three-round total of 224 (76-76-72). The junior jumped up 16 spots on the individual leaderboard with a career-low-tying, even-par 72 in the final session on Sunday. Loudtragulngam's first-round 76 featured 12 pars and a birdie on the par-four No. 16 as she carded an even-par 36 on the back nine. Her second-round 76 included 14 pars while her final-round 72 featured 11 pars and four birdies. The native of Chonburi, Thailand, posted a two-under-par 34 on the back nine while making par or better on 13 of her final 14 holes in the final session.
Madie Smithco finished tied for 46th with a three-round score of 229 (77-76-76). The junior's first-round 77 included nine pars and two birdies while her second-round 76 featured 13 pars and a birdie on the par-four No. 2. The Cranberry Township, Pa., native carded 12 pars and a birdie on the par-five No. 18 as part of her final-round 76.
Lizzie Saur concluded the event with a three-round 241 (78-80-83). The sophomore's opening-round 78 included 12 pars and a birdie on the par-three No. 4 while her second-round 80 featured nine pars and a birdie on the par-three No. 4. Saur's final-round 83 saw her make five pars and a pair of birdies.
Penn State won the tournament title by 16 strokes at three under par with a three-round team total of 861 (289-282-290). Kennesaw State was the runner up with an 877 while Boston College placed third with an 878. YSU finished four strokes in front of fifth-place Richmond. Toledo's Amelia Lee claimed medalist honors with a three-round score of 209 (68-71-70), finishing four strokes ahead of Richmond's Hannah Lydic (74-71-68).
Youngstown State will continue its fall schedule on Oct. 3-4 with the Butler Fall Invitational at Highland Golf & Country Club in Indianapolis, Ind.
For news and updates throughout the fall season, follow @YSUWomensGolf on Twitter.
