Rohnert Park, Calif. - On March 8th and 9th the SSU women's golf team competed in the NNU Nighthawks Invitational in Livermore, California at Poppy Ridge Golf Club.
Round 1: After round 1 the Seawolves led the individual leader board and finished with a tournament team low 309! Senior Lexi Nielsen shot a tournament low 73 and finished atop of the individual leader board. Freshman Brenna Ozel continued to build off of her successful debut at the Pioneer Shootout last week and she would finish right behind Nielsen shooting a 75 in the first round of the Nighthawks Invitational. Ozel's +3 (75) round would also be marked as her career low as a Seawolf after shooting a 78 and 79 in her two rounds in the Pioneer Shootout the week prior.
Senior Jasmine Monas would make her 2021 spring season debut with the Seawolves as well this week and she would finish in 7th place individually shooting +7 (79). Nielsen, Ozel, and Monas would make up the three Seawolves who finished inside the top 10 after round 1 and helped give their team a 3 stroke lead going into the final round.
"Impressive showing by all team members today. After being 4 over par in her first two holes, freshman Brenna Ozel played her next 16 holes one under par posting a round of 75. Co-captain Lexi Nielsen fired a one over par 73 as well to help put our team in great position for the final round of the tournament" (HC, Verhunce).
Round 2: With a 3 stroke lead heading into the final round, the SSU was in great position to take home the team tournament championship. Lexi Nielsen continued her tear in round 2 as she shot an even par on the front nine. Sophomore Isley Grguric also started off well for the Seawolves as she +2 on the front nine and would finish the round 6 over par.
Sonoma State's overall consistency top to bottom helped them grow a substantial lead from the rest of the field. All five SSU golfers shot an 80 or lower in their final round and all five finished inside the top 20 individually for the tournament. Head coach Val Verhunce and his squad would win the NNU Nighthawks Invitational with a team score of 621, 11 strokes ahead of the next closest team.
Lexi Nielsen would win the individual title for the tournament as well as she led all golfers at just 6 over par in her two rounds of action. Nielsen also recorded the lowest round of the tournament with a 73 on Monday. Freshman Brenna Ozel was not far behind as she finished third individually at +8. Jasmine Monas and Isley Grguric would also finish inside the top 10 individually in the tournament.
"It was a good day for SSU golf!" said head coach of the men's and women's golf teams, Val Verhunce. "Lexi Nielsen got her first collegiate tournament win today which was very exciting and well deserved! Lots of support from her teammates though this week especially from freshman Brenna Ozel as she finished in third. I was very proud of our girls for battling the conditions and finishing strong. It is always a great feeling to win and they absolutely deserved this one" (Verhunce, HC).
The lady Seawolves hit the links again next week for their third tournament of the spring. They will travel to Silverado Golf Club as Academy of Art hosts the tournament. Congratulations to the Sonoma State women's golf team on winning the 2021 NNU Nighthawks Invitational!
