May 10, 2008

Athens, Ga. -- The Furman women's golf team shot a final round 301 at the NCAA East Regional on Saturday and slipped into eighth place in the final moments to clinch its 16th trip to the NCAA Division I National Championship.

The Paladins (292-307-301=900) were nine-over-par at the turn, but shot just four-over-par on the final nine holes to finish at +36 for the 54-hole tournament. Furman, shown in ninth place following the completion of its round, was forced to watch as New Mexico and Wake Forest finished their rounds at the 18th green. The Demon Deacons' final player birdied the 18th to clinch seventh place, but the Lobos dropped seven shots as a team over their final three holes to help Furman secure its first trip the NCAA Finals since 2005.

"One of the biggest things for us was that no one expected us to do it," said head coach Jen Hanna of the team's berth in the NCAA Championship. "This team has improved, they have worked hard and it is well deserved. We're not going to nationals just to be there. We want to compete for a championship."

The Paladins, by finishing in the top eight, will compete in the 24-team NCAA Championship May 20-23, at the University of New Mexico Championship Course in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1987, Furman claimed a second place finish at the NCAAs on the same course.

Corrine Carr (69-76-75=220), Stefanie Kenoyer (75-78-75=228) and Blair Lamb (76-74-75=225) each posted final round scores of three-over 75 to lead the Paladins while Jackie Hilea (72-79-76=227) chipped in with a four-over 76.

Carr, who notched a career-best round of 69 on Thursday, finished at four-over to grab a share of 10th place. Lamb finished in a tie for 24th at nine-over-par.

Furman's freshman duo of Kenoyer and Hilea once again drove the Paladins down the stretch. Hilea, who started the day on the No. 10 tee, bounced back from a 42 on the back nine to shoot one-under on the front. Kenoyer, the Southern Conference's individual medalist, was four-over-par after six holes but played the final 12 at one-under to contribute to Furman's rally.

Benedicte Toumpsin of South Carolina claimed individual medalist honors at two-over-par. Amanda Blumenherst, the nation's top-ranked player and Sara-Maude Juneau of Louisville tied for second at one-under.

Florida (290-295-298=883) edged Duke (285-303-296=884) by one stroke to claim the East Regional title. Georgia, Auburn, Virginia, South Carolina, Wake Forest and Furman rounded out the top eight.

Complete results for all three NCAA Division I women's golf regionals are available at www.golfstatresults.com.

8 Furman 292 307 301 900

T10 Corrine Carr 69 76 75 220

T24 Blair Lamb 76 74 75 225

T32 Jackie Hilea 72 79 76 227

T36 Stefanie Kenoyer 75 78 75 228

104 Ashley Baker 80 87 87 254