Lumberjacks Remain in Fourth After Round Two of Big Sky Championship

Round Two Results

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 18, 2023) – The Northern Arizona University golf team had a five-stroke improvement in the second round of the Big Sky Conference Golf Championship today. After shooting a 295 (+7) in the first round, the Lumberjacks improved to 290 (+2) in the second round today to remain in fourth place.
 
The championships are being held at the Talking Stick Resort (par-72, 6,247 yards) in Scottsdale, Ariz. The final round of 18 holes will be played tomorrow, as the 'Jacks start teeing off at 8:40 a.m.
 
Through two rounds, NAU is nine-over par with 585 total strokes, its best total since the GCU Invitational back on Feb. 27. Heading into tomorrow's final round, the Lumberjacks are 10 strokes ahead of fifth-place Eastern Washington and nine strokes behind third-place Montana State. Sacramento State leads the field with 563 (-13) strokes.
 
Lizzie Neale is tied for sixth place to lead the Lumberjacks. After tying a career-low of 69 (-3) in the first round, she shot a 74 (+2) today to bring her total to 143 (-1) total strokes.
 
Aleksandra Chekalina saw improvement today, making it around the course in 72 strokes to finish even par and remain tied for 13th. She shot a 73 (+1) yesterday to bring her two round total to 145 (+1). Today marked her sixth round this season at par or better, and she earned three birdies in the process.
 
Ashley Croft has continued to play consistent, shooting a 74 (+2) in both the first and second rounds to total 148 (+4) stokes to tie for 18^th.
 
Ellena Slater saw major improvement, going from a 79 (+7) in the opening round to finish with a 70 (-2) today. She is tied for 20^th with 149 (+5) strokes. Today's round was Slater's ninth round at par or better and she started strong, earning a birdie on the first hole and an eagle on the second. It was her second eagle this season, and she had three birdies total today including one on the 15^th and the 18^th hole.
 
Lorel Hayward substituted in for Nina Lukyanenko today, shooting a 74 to finish two-over par and is tied for 50^th with just a one-round total. She had three birdies today.
 
Northern Arizona, the defending Big Sky Champions, will look to finish strong tomorrow in the third and final round. Live scoring will be available on Golfstat.
 
Individual Results
T6. Lizzie Neale 69+74= 143 (-1)
T13. Aleksandra Chekalina 73+72 = 145 (+1)
T18. Ashley Croft 74+74= 148 (+4)
T20. Ellena Slater 79+70 = 149 (+5)
50^th. Lorel Hayward 74 (+2)