Arizona’s Season Ends After Feverish Comeback Attempt at Regionals

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Arizona Women’s Golf’s season came to an end in Wednesday’s third and final round of NCAA Regionals in Albuquerque as the Wildcats fell two strokes shy of advancing to the NCAA Championships. The Cats carded numerous birdies on the back nine to erase a five-stroke deficit before finishing regional play at 12-over par and in sixth place.

“I am so proud of how this team never panicked, never flinched and never gave up this week in Albuquerque,” said head coach Laura Ianello. “These young ladies battled and were determined to stay in contention, and they did just that. You never want to a season to end early, but this team overcame numerous obstacles and represented our university and athletics department with pride and distinction all season. The future is bright with our program, and this season will set the stage for more great things next year.”

Senior Ya Chung Chang posted the team’s best round at 2-under and spearheaded Arizona’s furious comeback attempt after the turn by sinking back-to-back birdies on the 10^th and 11^th holes. She helped the Wildcats sink 17 birdies as a team on Wednesday after carding a total of 14 in the first two rounds combined.

All five Wildcats in the Arizona lineup would finish in the top-25 of the leaderboard with junior Gile Bite Starkute and freshman Carolina Melgrati leading the team at 4-over and tied for 17^th. Freshman Lilas Pinthier would finish one stroke behind Melgrati and Starkute to finish in a tied for 22^nd. Chang and sophomore Maya Benita ended their weeks at 6-over and tied for 25^th.