Freshman Wilson tied for 2nd individually, Cats shoot 3-under

The Arizona women's golf team finished in second place yesterday in the Las Vegas Founders Collegiate Showdown in Las Vegas, shooting a 3-under 285.

No. 2 UCLA leads the tournament after shooting a team-record 9-under 279, with Pepperdine and Kent State tied for third at an even-par 288.

"Being six shots behind in college golf really isn't that much. We are still in the game," said Arizona head coach Greg Allen. "I'm excited for these next few days."

Freshman Amanda Wilson is tied for second individually after shooting a 4-under 68.

"I did pretty good," she said. "I was hitting the ball well and making a lot of putts."

Allen said he was impressed by Wilson's performance.

Being six shots behind in college golf isn't that much. We are still in the game. ... I'm excited for these next few days. - Greg Allen, women's golf head coach

"She was steady off the tee and hit a lot of greens," he said.

Senior Cassandra Kirkland also had a good day, shooting a 2-under 70 and finishing the day tied for fifth.

Allen said he was happy to see Kirkland back to her usual form. She has shot back-to-back rounds under par.

"I lost my confidence in our second tournament (Oct. 10-12) and was worried, but then our last tournament (Oct. 21-23), I shot good," Kirkland said. "And then finishing under par (yesterday) really helped my confidence."

Fellow freshman Lauren Espinosa struggled with some putts, Allen said, but was able to come back and finish at even par.

Seniors Lani Elston-Marshall and Whitney Welch each carded a 75. Junior Rachel Gavin finished with a 10-over 82.

"We keep moving forward and kept the momentum from last week," Allen said. "Every time we go out, I can see us making strides."

Kirkland said she thought the team put together an all-around effort.

"Normally, we each have a good round but on different days," she said. "But (yesterday), most of us had a great round and were able to combine it to have a good team score."

"It was a great confidence boost for the team," Allen said. "We want to win and (we) feel that we can."