From the Wire: Ole Miss women's golf drops quarterfinal match to Florida at SEC Championship
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Ole Miss women’s golf team fell to Florida, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the SEC Championship Saturday, as the Rebels closed out the back half of their matches that were paused on Friday due to darkness.
Playing on a wet course from heavy rain throughout Saturday morning, the Rebels battled through tough conditions to capture two of the five matches against the Gators, falling just short of advancing to play against No. 1 seeded Auburn in the SEC Semifinals.
Andrea Lignell was able to get the Rebels on the board with a victory in the No. 1 spot of the match, as Lignell defeated Florida’s Marina Escobar Domingo 1-up in 20 holes. Despite trailing her opponent by one heading to the pair’s final hole of the match, Lignell battled back to defeat Escobar Domingo on No. 9, sending the match to two playoff holes before Lignell sealed her win on No. 11.
Julia Johnson followed suit for the Rebels with a 2&1 victory against Maisie Filler in the No. 4 position. After starting the match Friday tied through the opening three holes, Johnson gained a lead on No. 13 that she never let go of, with the Rebel senior holding an advantage the remainder of her victory.
Despite this however, the Gators held firm to claim victories in their matchups against Ole Miss. Chiara Tamburlini (4&3), Natacha Host Husted (2&1) and Maddie May (6&5) were unable to punch in one more win to seal a Rebel victory, as the Gators went on to defeat the Rebels 3-2 in Birmingham.
The Rebels will now await the NCAA Regional Selection Show to learn the team’s postseason future this spring. This year’s regionals, which are set to take place May 9-11, will be hosted by Stanford, Vanderbilt, New Mexico, Michigan, Oklahoma State and Florida State.
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS VS. FLORIDA
1. Andrea Lignell (Ole Miss) def. Marina Escobar Domingo (Florida) – 1-up (20 holes)
2. Annabell Fuller (Florida) def. Chiara Tamburlini (Ole Miss) – 4&3
3. Clara Manzalini (Florida) def. Natacha Host Husted (Ole Miss) – 2&1
4. Julia Johnson (Ole Miss) def. Maisie Filler (Florida) – 2&1
5. Jackie Lucena (Florida) def. Maddie May (Ole Miss) – 6&5
