Monday, September 19
Hoover, Ala.
All Day
Southern Miss
vs
Hoover Country Club
Women's Golf Crowned Hoover Invitational Champions
9/20/2022 4:27:00 PM | Women's Golf
HOOVER, Ala. --Â The Southern Miss women's golf team captured the Hoover Invitational on Tuesday afternoon behind a second-place finish from sophomore Momoka Ando.Â
"Lots of emotions this week," said Southern Miss head coach Lucy Nunn Burke. "This was the first time in a while we were in this position, so we weren't sure what the reaction was going to be. We looked poised and determined throughout the ups and downs of today, though.Â
"And what a special win because it came down to our non-counting score, so everyone played a huge part this week. Big hats off to Momoka for staying focused all week. She has stepped up to be a silent leader and it's awesome to watch her compete. There's a lot more to come for this team; they are definitely hungry for more."
Southern Miss' win at the two-day, 54-hole event at Hoover Country Club was its first team title since the FIU Pat Bradley in 2017 and the first tournament victory under Nunn Burke. The Golden Eagles bested South Alabama via a tiebreaker from the fifth golfer's score -- Alma Betoret's third-round 76 solidified the win for the Golden Eagles.Â
Ando fired a three-over 75 to hold onto second place while draining two birdie putts along the way. Her second-place finish was the highest of her career after posting a fourth-place finish at the Jan Weaver Invitational last season. Senior Friend Chompitakdacha used a third-round 75 to finish ninth, while firing the second-lowest 54-hole total in her career at 220.Â
Freshman Jacee Fields continued to stay hot as the Fort Worth, Texas native recorded the first top-10 finish of her career. Fields used a 74 on Tuesday to finish in a tie for 10th just two weeks removed from posting her first top-25 finish.  Elena Melich finished in 12th after a third-round 73 gave her a 224 over the two days. Melich had three birdies in her final round on Tuesday. Betoret finished tied for 26th, but her third-round score ultimately propelled Southern Miss past South Alabama. Taylor Trible, competing as an individual, used a third-round 81 to finish in a tied for 31st. Trible made her collegiate debut on Monday with a first-round 73.Â
The Golden Eagles return to action on Oct. 3-4, at the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational in Seattle, Wash., hosted by Seattle.Â
Southern Miss Results
2. Momoka Ando (68-73-75-216)
9. Friend Chompitakdacha (75-70-75-220)
T10. Jacee Fields (73-75-74-222)
12. Elena Melich (79-72-73-224)
T26. Alma Betoret (80-74-76-230)
T31. Taylor Trible (73-78-81-232)
Team Leaderboard
1. Southern Miss
2. South Alabama
3. Belmont
4. Memphis
5. Northern Colorado
6. Jacksonville
7. North Alabama
8. UAB
9. Southern Illinois
10. Samford
"Lots of emotions this week," said Southern Miss head coach Lucy Nunn Burke. "This was the first time in a while we were in this position, so we weren't sure what the reaction was going to be. We looked poised and determined throughout the ups and downs of today, though.Â
"And what a special win because it came down to our non-counting score, so everyone played a huge part this week. Big hats off to Momoka for staying focused all week. She has stepped up to be a silent leader and it's awesome to watch her compete. There's a lot more to come for this team; they are definitely hungry for more."
Southern Miss' win at the two-day, 54-hole event at Hoover Country Club was its first team title since the FIU Pat Bradley in 2017 and the first tournament victory under Nunn Burke. The Golden Eagles bested South Alabama via a tiebreaker from the fifth golfer's score -- Alma Betoret's third-round 76 solidified the win for the Golden Eagles.Â
Ando fired a three-over 75 to hold onto second place while draining two birdie putts along the way. Her second-place finish was the highest of her career after posting a fourth-place finish at the Jan Weaver Invitational last season. Senior Friend Chompitakdacha used a third-round 75 to finish ninth, while firing the second-lowest 54-hole total in her career at 220.Â
Freshman Jacee Fields continued to stay hot as the Fort Worth, Texas native recorded the first top-10 finish of her career. Fields used a 74 on Tuesday to finish in a tie for 10th just two weeks removed from posting her first top-25 finish.  Elena Melich finished in 12th after a third-round 73 gave her a 224 over the two days. Melich had three birdies in her final round on Tuesday. Betoret finished tied for 26th, but her third-round score ultimately propelled Southern Miss past South Alabama. Taylor Trible, competing as an individual, used a third-round 81 to finish in a tied for 31st. Trible made her collegiate debut on Monday with a first-round 73.Â
The Golden Eagles return to action on Oct. 3-4, at the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational in Seattle, Wash., hosted by Seattle.Â
Southern Miss Results
2. Momoka Ando (68-73-75-216)
9. Friend Chompitakdacha (75-70-75-220)
T10. Jacee Fields (73-75-74-222)
12. Elena Melich (79-72-73-224)
T26. Alma Betoret (80-74-76-230)
T31. Taylor Trible (73-78-81-232)
Team Leaderboard
1. Southern Miss
2. South Alabama
3. Belmont
4. Memphis
5. Northern Colorado
6. Jacksonville
7. North Alabama
8. UAB
9. Southern Illinois
10. Samford
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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