by Travis Weber
Daily Lobo
The UNM women's golf team fell just short in its bid for a fifth-straight Mountain West Conference championship in Bend, Ore., this weekend. UNM finished two strokes behind UNLV in a disappointing second.
The Lobos, ranked No. 5 in the country, were easily the favorites going into the tournament. They shot a three-day total of 858 or 6-over-par.
"UNLV just played great," Lobo head coach Jackie Booth said.
UNM finished the first day of competition with a score of 291, 7-over-par and two points behind UNLV. A second-day total of 290 brought the Lobos within one stroke of the Rebels, setting up an exciting final day.
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The Lobos battled strong on the last day. With just three holes to go they were tied with UNLV. But in the end, it just wasn't their day, and the Rebels took home the title.
"We played awesome on Sunday," Booth said. "We shot 7-under on the day and UNLV just played phenomenal. It makes it hard to lose when you play that good and you have 13 birdies and two eagles."
The Lobos were led individually by junior Shannon Johnson and senior Katrina Leckovic who tied for second place at even par 213, two strokes behind UNLV's Sunny Oh.
"They both played really well, and I'm very happy with them," Booth said.
UNM also got strong finishes from junior Kailin Downs, who tied a course record on Saturday with a 5-under-66, and sophomore Christine Fernandez who shot a two under 69. Downs and Fernandez finished in a ninth-place tie.
Freshman Ashley Rollins also finished well, placing 15th with a 9-over-222. On Sunday, Rollins was named MWC Freshman of the Year.
Although disappointed by their finish, the Lobos now set their sights on the NCAA regional finals.
"They take the top five teams from each region, and we are ranked second in our region," Booth said. "Where we will play is yet to be determined, though. We will either be sent to Florida, Illinois State or Stanford."
Still, the Lobos feel confident about their chances at regionals. Knowing they left a few shots on the course in the conference championship might help focus the team for its run at nationals.
"The top two teams from each region make it to nationals, and then any one of the eight teams can win the national title," Booth said.
UNM's chances to advance out of their region are very strong - they are ranked No. 2 in their region and No. 5 in the country.
On the whole, the Lobos' year has been anything but disappointing. UNM has snuck up the national rankings with a 101-16 record, winning four of eight regular-season tournaments.
"I am so proud of these girls," Booth said. "It is amazing to think that we have won half of the tournaments we have been in. In golf that's hard to do."
The Lobos did leave Oregon victorious though, as four of the six women selected to the All-Mountain West women's golf team were Lobos. Those that received this honor were Leckovic, Johnson, Downs and Rollins.
