Seton Hall University
Third Round
WGOLF WINS SECOND STRAIGHT BIG EAST TITLE
4/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
FINAL TEAM LEADERS 
| FINAL PLAYER LEADERS
DAYTONA BEACH, FL. -- Senior Erin McClure (Tucson, Ariz.) shot a 2-under-par, 70, in Saturday's final round to lift the Seton Hall women's golf team to a one-stroke victory in the 2015 BIG EAST Conference Championship and successful title defense.
The title gives the team back-to-back championships, the first for the Seton hall program since softball won titles in 2004 and 2005.
McClure was simply masterful, playing her best golf when the team needed it the most. After going 36 holes without a single birdie, the senior recorded five birdies during round three. McClure's big finish put her at 8-over-par for the tournament with a 77-77-70-224, good for tournament runner-up. She finished just one stroke behind Georgetown's Jacquelyn Eleey, who took home the individual title at 7-over-par.
"I'm just so proud to see how Erin has grown from her freshman year until now," said head coach Sara Doell. "For her to shoot 2-under in the BIG EAST Championship final round speaks to how much she's matured as a golfer. She was unflappable today and picked up her teammates when they needed it most."
Seton Hall looked like it was going to cruise to its second straight title early in the round, but the Pirates had to hold off a furious charge by Georgetown in the final holes of the day. The Pirates led the field by as many as 13 strokes at the turn and were 2-under-par through nine holes. But when The Hall shot a collective 8-over-par through holes 10, 11 and 12, Georgetown made its move.
With the final three golfers approaching the 18th hole, Seton Hall had a one-stroke lead. Megan Tenhundfeld (Loveland, Ohio) chipped her third shot to within three feet of the hole, and calmly made the putt to match Georgetown's Eleey and preserve the slim margin of victory.
For the tournament, Seton Hall shot a 50-over-par, 311-299-304-914. Georgetown was 51-over-par and Xavier finished at 57-over-par. All three teams had been separated by just one stroke following both rounds one and two.
"From day one, this program has continued to progress and reach new heights," Doell said. "Last year's BIG EAST title was a dream realized. But this year, entering the tournament as the favorite for the first time and still rising to the occasion for another title, may be even more impressive. Words cannot explain how proud I am of this team."
Tenhundfeld had a sparkling second round, which kept Seton Hall tied for the team lead through 36 holes. The junior slipped in round three, but came through when needed most on the 18th hole. For the tournament, Tenhundfeld tied for seventh place overall with a 14-over-par, 78-70-82-230.
"It's great to see her put together a terrific round yesterday and then come through in the clutch with a huge up-and-down on the 18th hole today," Doell said. "For a second straight year, Megan played big on the biggest stage."
Senior Ali Kruse (Overland Park, Kan.) has been towards the top of the individual leader board all tournament long. On Saturday, she was 2-under par through the front nine, fueled by an eagle on the par-4 ninth hole. Kruse used a pitching wedge to hole her second shot from 105 yards. The senior ran into trouble late in the round, but still carded a 6-over-par, 78. For the tournament, Kruse tied for fourth with a 12-over-par, 76-74-78-228.
"Ali's leadership both on and off the golf course is second to none and it's so great to see her a part of this," Doell said. She's been a game-changer for us since the day she stepped on campus and her influence and performance was instrumental in leading us to another title this week."
Cassie Pantelas (Canton, Ohio) improved each day during her first BIG EAST Championship. The freshman started her final round with 10 straight pars. A birdie on hole #13 cancelled out a bogey on hole #11, and she finished at 2-over-par after finishing her round with bogeys on holes #17 and #18. For the tournament, Pantelas finished 11th with a 17-over-par, 81-78-74-233.
"Cassie has not disappointed," Doell said. "We knew what we were getting when she joined us and she has proven to be a great asset. For a freshman, she's a great leader. She provides so much more to this team than just a number. Today, she came up huge for us."
Karlie Zabrosky (Erie, Pa.) rounded out the Pirates scoring on Saturday with an 11-over-par, 83. For the tournament, she was 29-over-par with an 80-82-83-245. She had a large role in the Pirates strong performances early in rounds. Zabrosky was only 8-over-par for the tournament on the front nine, but struggled mightily on the back.
"Karlie had a rough week, but she continued to battle and served a good example for her teammates with her resolve and poise," Doell said. "Karlie's positive attitude is infectious and proved to be integral to our team's success this week."
With the victory, Seton Hall has earned the BIG EAST's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Pirates will find out which of four Regional sites they will play on Monday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. The Golf Channel will broadcast the selection show. The four possible Regional sites are Raleigh, N.C., San Antonio, Texas, South Bend, Ind. And St. George, Utah.
| 2015 BIG EAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP -- Final Team Scores | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Player | R1 | R2 | R3 | TOTAL | PAR |
| 1 | SETON HALL | 311 | 299 | 304 | 914 | +50 |
| 2 | Georgetown | 310 | 301 | 304 | 915 | +51 |
| 3 | Xavier | 310 | 300 | 311 | 921 | +57 |
| 4 | St. John's | 321 | 314 | 314 | 949 | +85 |
| 5 | Butler | 325 | 320 | 317 | 966 | +102 |
| 6 | Creighton | 325 | 320 | 322 | 967 | +103 |
| 2015 BIG EAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP -- Seton Hall Final Individual Scores | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos. | Player | R1 | R2 | R3 | TOTAL | PAR |
| 2 | Erin McClure | 77 | 77 | 70 | 224 | +8 |
| T4 | Ali Kruse | 76 | 74 | 78 | 228 | +12 |
| T7 | Megan Tenhundfeld | 78 | 70 | 82 | 230 | +14 |
| 11 | Cassie Pantelas | 81 | 78 | 74 | 233 | +17 |
| T22 | Karlie Zabrosky | 80 | 82 | 83 | 245 | +29 |
