Michigan State Women’s Golf is moving on after punching its ticket to the NCAA Championships.
MSU held seventh-place in the North Carolina Regional entering the final day of competition before making a comeback that slotted them in the top-five of the 12-team regional. The Spartans tied with North Carolina State and Virginia to force a playoff where the top two teams, including MSU, advanced.
MSU posted a regional-best 2-over-par in the final round after shooting 16-over-par through the first 36 holes.
"We always have high expectations for our program and our players. Qualifying for the NCAA Championships is one of them," MSU Head Coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said in a release. "We knew that we had work to do, but we also knew that it was within reach. It was a challenge, especially going to a playoff, but our Spartans stayed strong, and it's just a thrill to make it back to the NCAA Championship for the 6th year in a row. This team has a lot of grit and we showed it today."
Michigan State will be making its 18th all-time appearance at the NCAA Championships, including 16 trips under head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll. MSU has been represented in each of the last six NCAA Championships.
The Spartans have qualified as a team in four straight years and five times in the last six. This is the fourth-straight year the team has reached the NCAA Championships and the 16th appearance by Slobodnik-Stoll.
Michigan State's combined score of 23 in the playoff tied with Virginia, moving both teams on to the Championship round. MSU was one of 72 teams in the regional phase and will golf as one of 30 teams in the championship.
Senior Taylor Kehoe led the Spartans on Wednesday at 3-under-par with five birdies. She finished 6-under-par on the weekend as the only Spartan to shoot under par.
"I'm so proud of the way we fought back into the top-five," Kehoe said in a release. "Clinching one of the last spots in a 3-for-2 playoff was definitely stressful, but I know we were ready for the moment. Now it's time to get back to work and prepare for nationals."
MSU will start championship play on May 22-27 at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California.
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Discussion
Share and discuss “MSU Women’s golf mounts comeback, advances to NCAA Championships” on social media.