Women's golf loses ground on state rival Arizona St.

The Arizona women's golf team is in within striking distance of the Pacific 10 Conference title going into today's final round in Tacoma, Wash., after firing a second round 290 on the par-73, 6,004 yard course at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. But the Wildcats could very well be in the driver's seat were it not for the stellar play of the Arizona State Sun Devils, who have all four of their top golfers in the top 10 in the individual standings.

ASU stands at 6-under-par 578, four shots ahead of second place Arizona. Stanford remained in third place, four shots behind the Wildcats, followed by UCLA, which leapfrogged Oregon into fourth place.

The rest of the top 10 includes USC in sixth with Washington, California, Oregon State and Washington State rounding out the field.

Stanford's Mhairi McKay continued her terrific play by firing her second-consecutive round in the 60's, carding a 4-under-par 69 yesterday, to put her at 9-under-par 137 after the first two rounds. McKay is the only player to have played a round in the 60's all week.

Arizona sophomore Marisa Baena is in a second place tie with ASU's Keri Cornelius at 5-under 141, after they shot a 71 and 70, respectively, yesterday.

Eunice Choi of UCLA is alone in fourth place at 144, followed by ASU's Kellee Booth and Jeanne-Marie Busuttii and Arizona sophomore Krissie Register, all of whom are tied for fifth at 1-under-par 145.

The rest of the Wildcats' scores include freshman Jenna Daniels at 147, junior Heather Graff at 149 and freshman Jill Gomric at 156.

ASU's other score came from Tui Selvaratnam, who finished the first two rounds tied with Daniels in 10th place.

The Bruins' top golfer Sophie Sandolo recovered from her 78 on Monday to shoot a 70, moving her into a tie for 13th overall.

The tournament concludes today with the final 18 holes of play.

Baena will be paired with both Cornelius and McKay and will have her work cut out for her if she plans to repeat as conference champion. Arizona golfers will tee off beginning at 10 a.m.