Due to severe weather in the area, the format was altered to two rounds of match play today instead of a practice round.
PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. – The No. 10 Florida women’s golf earned a sweep in match play at the Therese Hession Regional Challenge on Saturday. The Gators took down No. 20 Pepperdine 4-1, and No. 4 UCLA, 3-2.
Due to severe weather in the area, the format was altered to two rounds of match play today instead of a practice round.
More details regarding on Sunday and Monday are to be determined. Details and format for the remainder of the tournament will be updated as they become available. Check FloridaGators.com and Gators Golf social media channels for updates.
Senior Maisie Filler and freshman Sophie Stevens both finished 2-0 in match play.
Match 1 vs. No. 20 Pepperdine – Florida 4, Pepperdine 1
California native, Jackie Lucena, set the tone in the first round vs. Pepperdine. The senior put Florida on the board first, cruising to a 6&5 victory. She was the first golfer on the course to win her match among the field and dropped one hole, coming on the 11th hole of the match.
The Gators controlled the match, leading in four of the five matches throughout the morning and at the turn. Maisie Filler made it 2-0 behind her 5&4 win. She was 4-under through 14 holes and didn’t lose a single hole in the first-round match.
After the Waves grabbed a point back in Kaleiya Romero’s 5&3 win over Inès Archer, fellow freshman Paula Francisco earned the match-clinching point. She won four consecutive holes for a 4&2 victory after her match was tied with six holes remaining.
The third true freshman in the lineup this weekend, Sophie Stevens, played out her match and secured a fourth point with a 2&1 win. She also only dropped one hole, which didn’t come on the 16th hole of the match.
Results:
Florida 4 Pepperdine 1 Score
Maisie Filler Lion Higo 5&4 (UF)
Inès Archer Kaleiya Romero 5&3 (Pepp)
Paula Francisco KaYee Kwok 4&2 (UF)
Sophie Stevens Jeneath Wong 2&1 (UF)
Jackie Lucena Lauren Gomez 6&5 (UF)
Match 2 vs. No. 4 UCLA – Florida 3, UCLA 2
Sophie Stevens gave the Gators a quick 1-0 advantage over the Bruins with her second win of the day, 4&3. An eagle on the 18th hole (par-4, 374 yards) gave her a two-hole lead with seven holes remaining. The Highland, Michigan native then won and split two of the next four holes to secure the victory.
After Stevens’ victory, Florida and UCLA both controlled two of the four remaining matches, setting up for a dramatic finish on the final holes. However, play was suspended due to darkness resulting with the golfer leading at the time to earn the point in their match.
Results:
Florida 3 UCLA 2 Score
Maisie Filler Alessia Nobilio 1Up (UF) *3 holes left
Inès Archer Natalie Vo 1Up (UF) *2 holes left
Paula Francisco Tiffany Le 3&1 (UCLA)
Sophie Stevens Kate Villegas 4&3 (UF)
Jackie Lucena Caroline Canales 2UP (UCLA) *2 holes left
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