March 12, 2002

(Menefee Lakes, CA) - USF fired a final round 303 for a three round total of 911 (304, 304, 303) to place fifth at the Pioneer Electric Bruin Classic at the Menefee Country Club on Tuesday. The placing was the second straight top-five finish for the Lady Dons in the 2002 spring season and six strokes better than Bay Area rival Cal, who carded a 917 (302, 305, 310), good for seventh place.

West Coast Conference rival Pepperdine won the event with an 876 (297, 297, 284) boosted by a course record 64 in the final round from tournament individual medallist Katherine Hull, who fired a 9-under 207 (74, 69, 64). Host UCLA posted a 901 (299, 297, 305) for runner-up honors, while New Mexico (305, 301, 302) and Oklahoma (303, 295, 310) tied for third with 908, three strokes in front of San Francisco to round out the top-five in the elite field.

Junior Susie Laing shot a 75 in the final round for a 224 (77, 72, 75) and was the top finisher for the Lady Dons in ninth place. Freshman Mariko Shimozaki was one stroke behind Laing at 225 (79, 72, 74) and shared 10th place. Sophomore Jordan Auten (74, 80, 77) and freshman Laura Viveros (74, 77, 80) each carded 231 to finish in 36th. Viveros competed as an individual on the 6,116 yard course.

Head coach Sara Range was pleased with the performance.

"I am very proud of them. They competed today against some elite teams and more than held their own. Susie and Mariko were impressive out there," Range commented.

USF returns to action Thursday March 28, when they travel to Eugene, OR to compete in the Nike/Duck Invitational.

San Francisco, 911 (304, 304, 303) Individual Scores:

9. Susie Laing, 224 (77, 72, 75), T-10. Mariko Shimozaki, 225 (79, 72, 74), T-36. Jordan Auten, 231 (74, 80, 77), T-47. Lyndsey Devenish, 235 (76, 82, 77), Lisa Chen, 235 (77, 80, 78). Individual: T-36. Laura Viveros, 231 (74, 77, 80).