NEW BRAUNFELS — Julie Houston and Nikki Long tied for fourth place to lead the UTSA women's golf team to the team title at the Texas State Invitational, which concluded on Tuesday at The Bandit Golf Club (par 71/6,032 yards).
The Roadrunners made up a three-shot deficit to the host Bobcats in the final round en route to capturing the 12-year-old program's ninth team crown, all won under ninth-year head coach Carrie Parnaby.
"We set the goal to win this event as a great way to begin our spring season, but it is not always easy to go out and do it," Parnaby said. "We have a true team that supports each other and cheers each other on through all situations. That kind of support system is a recipe for success. We will enjoy this win, but we still have much to work on to get to where we want to be."
UTSA entered the last 18 holes at 30-over-par 598 (295-303). On the strength of a 3-over 74 from Long, the Roadrunners turned in a 303 in the final round compared to Texas State's 311 to finish with the 54-hole event with a 901, five shots head of their I-35 rival. It marked the program's second team win in a little less than one calendar year (Islanders Classic; Feb. 22-23, 2016).
Long's 74 featured a pair of birdies on the back nine and the junior finished with eight for the event. The San Antonio Johnson High School product opened with a 72 and carded a 75 in the second round, which was suspended due to darkness on Monday evening and completed on Tuesday morning, to close out an 8-over 221. The fourth-place tie marked the fifth top-10 finish of Long's career.
Houston posted a 76 in the final round after opening with rounds of 72 and 73 on her way to a 221. The sophomore from Allen wrote down a pair of birdies during her final 18 holes and finished with a tournament-best 10. The fourth-place tie marked the fourth top-five showing of the 2016 Conference USA Freshman of the Year's collegiate career.
That UTSA duo was just three shots behind individual medalist Leonie Harm of Houston, who recorded a 5-over 218 (70-73-75).
Aimee Ponte turned in the Roadrunners' second-best final round with a 75. The senior finished in a tie for 16th with a 228 (75-78-75), her third straight top-20 performance.
Becky McGeehan tied for 25th, a season-best finish, with a 231 (76-77-78), while Lara Weinstein was 86th (84-86-83—253) to round out the UTSA lineup.
Georgia Southern claimed third place with a 911, while Stephen F. Austin (917) and Central Arkansas (919) finished out the top five in the 16-team field.
The Roadrunners will return to action on Sunday-Tuesday, Feb. 19-21, when they travel to New Orleans to compete at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate.
