MARICOPA, Ariz. (April 3, 2024) – The Northern Arizona University women's golf team opened play at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic today at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz. (par-72, 6,191 yards). After the first two rounds, the Lumberjacks sit in 12
th place with 600 (+24) strokes.
NAU shot a 306 (+18) in round one before improving with a 294 (+6) in round two and will enter tomorrow's third round just five strokes out of 11
th place and seven strokes out of the top-ten. The Lumberjacks are one of six Big Sky Conference schools competing and trail only Sacramento State who leads the field after shooting seven-under as a team today.
Lizzie Neale leads the way for NAU and is tied for 11th place with 144 (E) strokes. The sophomore shot a 73 (+1) in round one before improving with a 71 (-1) in the second round for her 13
th round at par or better this season. Neale had seven birdies on the day, including four in round one.
Right behind Neale is
Amy Hodgkins who had a nine-stroke improvement between rounds one and two to place tied for 15th with 145 (+1) strokes. After shooting five-over in the first round, Hodgkins shot a 68 (-4) in round two with five birdies to tie her career low for the third time this season. It marked the 12
th round at par or better this season for the true freshman.
Lorel Hayward is competing as an individual and finished with a 149 (+5) after shooting a 75 (+3) in round one and a 74 (+2) in round two to place tied for 38th.
Nina Lukyanenko, who is also competing as an individual, had an eagle plus four birdies in the first round to shoot a 73 (+1). In round two, she shot a 77 (+5) to end the day with 150 (+6) strokes to place tied for 43rd.
Ekaterina Malakhova played consistent with a 78 (+6) in both rounds to finish with 156 (+12) to place tied for 81st. Both
Frankie Dezis and
Ellena Slater tied with a 157 (+12) to place tied for 87th.
The Lumberjacks return tomorrow for the third and final round of 18 holes at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Standard time with a shotgun start. Live scoring will be available on Golfstat.
Individual Results
T11.
Lizzie Neale 73-71=144 (E)
T15.
Amy Hodgkins 77-68=145 (+1)
*T38.
Lorel Hayward 75-74=149 (+5)
*T43.
Nina Lukyanenko 73-77=150 (+6)
T81.
Ekaterina Malakhova 78-78=156 (+12)
T87.
Frankie Dezis 80-77=157 (+13)
T87.
Ellena Slater 78-79=157 (+13)
