RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Santa Clara sophomore Kristin Le carded a 2-under 70 in the final round to win her first career collegiate tournament title, leading the Broncos to their second team championship in as many events in UC Riverside's Battle at the Rock, completed Tuesday at the 6,028-yard, par-72 Oak Quarry Golf Club in Riverside.
Le finished with a 4-over 220 total to win the event by eight strokes over runner-up Haley Winn of UC Riverside. She was one of six Broncos to place in the top-10 in the 45-player event.
"I couldn't be more proud," exclaimed head coach Krystal Kelly after Santa Clara's second straight team victory and third of the 2015-16 season. "We played really well today. All the hard work is paying off. Tee to green they were really solid and we made a tremendous amount of birdies out there."
As the wind subsided and conditions improved, so too did the scores. Four teams shot below 300 in Tuesday's final round after no team cracked that mark over the first two. Santa Clara scored a 291 and finished nine-strokes better than the host Highlanders.
Senior Ashley Noda carded a career-best round of 1-under 71 on Tuesday to move into seventh place with a 234 (+18) total.
Junior Annie Freman finished fifth at 231 following a final-round 75. Senior Monique Riley also shot a final-round 75 to place sixth, one shot behind Freman.
Competing as an individual, senior Meghan Shain took eighth with a 235 total, two shots better than a trio of golfers, including teammate Isabella Salant, who finished in a tie for ninth-place at 237.
Le's previous best finish was a tie for third at the Cowgirl Desert Intercollegiate last September. She joins Noda as Santa Clara golfers to win medalist honors this season. "I'm so proud of Kristin on her first collegiate win. She played very solid today," Kelly said.
The Broncos go for their third consecutive title when they next compete at the Fresno State Lexus Classic staring Mar. 7.
Santa Clara Final Individual Results
1. Kristin Le 73-77-70 = 220 (+4)
5. Annie Freman 78-78-75 = 231 (+15)
6. Monique Riley 77-80-75 = 232 (+16)
7. Ashley Noda 82-81-71 = 234 (+18)
Competing as Individuals
8. Meghan Shain 79-77-79 = 235 (+19)
T9. Isabella Salant 87-74-76 = 237 (+21)
T22. Kyleigh Moreno 85-80-79 = 244 (+28)
