RESULTS
PALM DESERT, Calif. (February 14, 2023) – The Northern Arizona University golf team concluded its first competition of the Spring season today, finishing runner-up to Nevada in the Mountain Classic Match Play. The two-day competition concluded with the number three-seeded Lumberjacks taking on the No. 1 Wolf Pack, falling by a score of 4-0-1.
The tournament, which instead of the usual stroke play format matched teams up head-to-head, took place at The Classic Club, a 6,081-yard course with a par of 72.
The Lumberjacks made it to the finals after defeating No. 6 Southern Utah 4-1-0 in the quarterfinals, and an upset of No. 2 Boise State 4-0-1 in the semifinals during the first day of competition yesterday.
"The girls battled hard this week, making it all the way to the finals. It was a learning experience for the girls to be under pressure today in the final groupings," said head coach
Brad Bedortha. "Hopefully, we can carry our momentum from our round two matches against Boise State to our next event at GCU."
Lizzie Neale picked up the lone point for NAU today as she tied her opponent.
Lorel Hayward (5&4),
Aleksandra Chekalina (4&3),
Ellena Slater (5&3) and
Ekaterina Malakhova (2UP) all kept their matches close but were edged in competition. Malakhova was tied neck-and-neck with her opponent through 15 holes but dropped two out of the last three. Neale's play was also decided on the final three holes.
After the Spring opener, Northern Arizona will take about a two week break before resuming action in Phoenix, Ariz., for the GCU Invitational hosted by Grand Canyon. The Lumberjacks finished the event in sixth place last season. Malakhova was the top finisher for NAU, finishing in a tie for 12
th after shooting a 218 (+2).
