STATE COLLEGE, Pa.—A busy week of golf for the Jax State women's team came to a conclusion Sunday afternoon with a third-place finish at the Nittany Lion Invitational.
It was the second tournament of the weekend for the Gamecocks which opened the week with a third-place finish at Kansas State.
"This trip was a big step in a positive direction," said coach Robbie Fields. "We pulled off some solid finishes, while playing what I believe is nowhere near the golf we are capable of as a team. It is easy to be frustrated—and trust me, we have plenty to improve on—with the result at the end of today, but in the grand scheme of it all, we are continuing to get better. I'm proud of this team and I'm excited to get back to work this week and getting better for our next time out."
The Gamecocks were three strokes behind Harvard for second. Princeton won the team title by 15.
The first round was the strongest for the team in Eastern Pennsylvania with a two-over 290 as a group on Saturday. Following were rounds of 297 and 305.
Emilie Clausen opened the tournament with a two-under 70 and Lara El Chaib was also in the red with a 71. El Chaib carded an eagle on the 12th, holing out from 110 yards out.
"Fifteen days ago, we challenged Lara and Emilie to have a more positive attitude on the course and to be more kind to themselves," said Fields. "To see them take that challenge and improve as much as they have in such a short period of time is so excited. I am so proud and appreciative of their effort in the month that they have been on campus, and I am excited for such a great start to their Jax State careers."
El Chaib had the best finish individually at sixth with a three-over 219, closing with a pair of 74s.
"I was hitting my irons really well and giving myself a lot of opportunities to make birdies this week," said El Chaib. "Unfortunately, my putter didn't want to cooperate with me but overall I'm happy with a sixth-place finish in my second college event."
Jinger Heath was 18th at eight-over during the 54-hole event, carding rounds of 73 and 74 on Saturday.
Ebby Somers and Rachel Camp rounded out the lineup with Somers 56th at +18 (81-73-80) and Camp +19 (76-78-81) in 60th.
The team returns to action on September 30th at the Pirate Collegiate Classic in Greenville, N.C.
