KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – Paced by Hayley McNeill's even-par 72, Charleston Southern compiled a seven-over 295 to take over sole possession of 11th place in second round play Monday at the Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Spring Classic.
CSU, at +16 overall, is just two shots back of tenth-place Fairleigh Dickinson entering Tuesday's final round. The Bucs are also only eight behind fourth-place Western Kentucky in the 43-team field. Host College of Charleston maintained its round one lead. The Cougars, at -9, have an 11-stroke edge over second-place Murray State. The top 22 teams will play for the tournament championship at Osprey Point Golf Club tomorrow, while teams 23-43 vie for a flight championship at Oak Point Golf Club.
Jacksonville State's Valentina Giraldo is the round two clubhouse leader at -7. College of Charleston's Victoria Huskey is all alone in second place at -6.
McNeill (T-18th) has put together back-to-back 72's and is one of just 21 competitors at par or better in the 218-player field. She posted four birdies and two bogeys through 17 holes before suffering a bad break the par-three seventh. McNeill's tee shot took a difficult lie in the bunker, leading to a double bogey at her closing hole.
McNeill's classmate, Emelie Flink (T-63rd), turned in a strong effort en route to a 73. Junior Andriel Aimua (T-38th) built on a strong opening round with a solid two-over 74. Senior Milleina Ohara (T-91st) closed with a birdie at the par-five eighth to secure a 76.
CSU head coach Matt Cram-Smith believes his team is poised to turn in a quality final round as the Bucs bid for a top-ten finish
"The girls are ready to get back to Osprey and play even better tomorrow," Cram-Smith said. They did a good job working on a few mistakes after today's round and our confidence is back to where it should be to play better and close like we're capable."
CSU is schedule to begin final round play at 8:45 a.m. The Bucs will tee off holes eight through ten.
