LSU women’s golf coach Karen Bahnsen said Thursday LSU had to get off to a good start to be able to place well at the Hooters National Match Play Championship in Orlando, Fl. She got her wish Friday morning when the Lady Tigers upset No. 5 seed Wake Forest University 4-1, thanks to the strong play of seniors and twin sisters Melissa and Nicola Eaton. Melissa Eaton won the first match of the day, defeating Wake Forest’s top-rated player senior Mandy Goins. Eaton controlled the match from the start, winning by four holes. Nicola Eaton trailed by one hole after the front nine but rallied to defeat sophomore Jean Chua by two holes. Bahnsen said she was pleased with the way the Lady Tigers played early. “The girls were really loose and came out strong from the very start of the match,” she said in a news release. “It was an impressive morning for the LSU team.” The Lady Tigers next played Vanderbilt University on Friday afternoon and lost, 3.5-1.5. Bahnsen said the loss occurred because LSU was unable to build on the morning match. The Lady Tigers again upset a higher-seeded team Saturday morning, defeating the University of Arkansas 4-1 and sealing LSU a spot in the fifth place match Sunday afternoon. Against the Lady Razorbacks, LSU junior Kim Meck won her third straight match of the weekend, defeating junior Whitney Sylvan by four holes. Bahnsen said she was pleased with the way LSU started against Arkansas. “Just like Friday, we came out strong and really put ourselves in position to be in control of the match,” Bahnsen said. Auburn defeated the Lady Tigers 4.5-0.5 in the fifth place match. Nicola Eaton earned the only points for LSU, splitting her match with freshman Candice Schepperle. Despite finishing poorly, Bahnsen said she is happy with the way the team performed against a competitive field. “To finish sixth in this elite field is another step forward for us,” she said. “The event shows the depth of the Southeastern Conference.” Duke University won the tournament, defeating Vanderbilt 3-2. The tournament marked the end of the fall season for the Lady Tigers. LSU will begin spring competition Feb. 19 at the Central District Invitational.
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