May 12, 2007
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| Concolino became the first Commodore in school history to win medalist honors at an NCAA regional. |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Sophomore Jacqui Concolino won medalist honors at the NCAA Central Regional Saturday, carding a 2-over par 73 during the final round to win by four strokes with a career-low 5-under 208. The strong showing helped lead Vanderbilt to a sixth-place finish at 34-over 886, advancing the Commodores to the NCAA Championship, May 22-25 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Concolino, who held off Southern California’s Paola Moreno (1-under 212), becomes the first Commodore in school history to win medalist honors at an NCAA regional. The tournament win marks the third of her career and the first this season.
“This week I was able to put the ball where I wanted it,” said Concolino who has nine Top 10 finishes in 11 tournaments this season. “The difference in (winning) this tournament was that my putts started dropping. It seemed to carry over on every hole after that and just snowballed.”
“It just shows what is possible when you get your mind right,” head coach Martha Richards said. “She made the decision before the week began that she was going to win it. I’m glad all her hard work paid off.”
The victory also soothes memories from last year’s NCAA East Regional where Concolino missed qualifying for the NCAA Championship as an individual by one stroke.
The Commodores slipped to sixth in the team standings on the final day at the University of Michigan Golf Course, but qualified for the NCAA Championship – as one of the top eight finishers – for the first time since 2004. Southern California won the team title by 11 strokes over second-place Georgia with a 17-over 869.
“We’re excited to be heading back to the NCAA Championships,” said Richards who will take her fourth Vanderbilt squad to the event. “What I like about this group is that we have beaten every one of the top ranked teams at least once during the regular season. It will take all five of our players playing well to win the national championship, but we’re capable of doing it.”
Commodore senior Chris Brady tied six other players for 33rd place at 14-over 227 after posting her best round of the tournament, a 3-over 74 on Saturday. Fellow senior Kristen Svicarovich wrapped up her play with a 7-over 78 to finished tied for 40th place at 15-over 228. Freshman Brooke Goodwin tied for 46th place at 229 after closing out with a 5-over 76. Junior Liebelei Lawrence tied for 56th place at 18-over 231 after taking an 11-over 82 on the final day.
AGATE
NCAA Women’s Golf Central Regional
Final Round
University of Michigan Golf Course (Par 71; 6,116 yards)
Team Results
1. Southern California 283-288-298–869;
2. Georgia 292-296-292–880;
3. TCU 289-291-303–883;
4. Indiana 289-295-300–884;
5. Arizona 297-293–293–885;
6. Vanderbilt 290-295-301–886;
7. Tennessee 294-292-306–893;
8. Michigan State 295-298-311–901;
9. Arkansas 291-301-314–906;
10. Kent State 297-298-313–908;
11. Ohio State 300-307-305–912;
12. Northwestern 308-305-306–919;
13. Michigan 311-305-310–926;
14. Baylor 312-306-315–933;
15. Southern Methodist 303-308-323–934;
16. UNC Wilmington 309-309-318–936;
17. Missouri 310-304-325–934;
18. Maryland 313-307-320–940;
19. Oral Roberts 311-309-329–949;
20. Southern Illinois 314-318-324–956;
21. St. Francis (Pa.) 342-338-356–1036.
Top 10 Individual Scorers
1. Jacqui Concolino, Vanderbilt 67-68-73–208;
2. Paola Moreno, Southern California 70-66-76–212;
T3. Stacy Lewis, Arkansas -72-71–213;
T3. Belen Mozo, Southern California 68-74-71–213;
5. Taylor Leon, Georgia 68-74-72–214;
6. Alison Walshe, Arizona 72-73-70–215;
T7. Elaine Harris, Indiana 72-75-69–216;
T7. Catherine Matranga, TCU 68-72-76–216;
T9. Elin Emanuelsson, TCU 71-71-76–218;
T9. Pamela Ontiveros, Oral Roberts 71-72-75–218.
Vanderbilt Scorers
1. Jacqui Concolino 67-68-73-208
T33. Chris Brady 75-78-74–227
T40. Kristen Svicarovich 74-76-78–228
T46. Brooke Goodwin 77-76-76–229
T56. Liebelei Lawrence 74-75-82–231
