Ronderos, Cuculiza Lead `Canes in 2010 Season Opener

Sept. 12, 2010

HARAHAN, S.C. – Senior Maria Ronderos and freshman Carina Cuculiza each shot six-over par to lead the University of Miami women’s golf team in its season opener at the Cougar Classic hosted by the College of Charleston at Yeamans Hall Sunday.

“The ladies played pretty well for their first day back since competing last May,” UM head women’s golf coach Patti Rizzo said. “We just need to fine-tune our games and we’ll be okay for tomorrow and the next day. Everyone looked good and I was very pleased with them on the first day.”

North Carolina leads after the first round after shooting 3-under par 285. Minnesota (289). South Carolina (291), Florida (292) and Oklahoma (293) round out the top five. Miami is 20th going into the second day after shooting 318.

Ronderos and Cuculiza each shot 78 to pace the Hurricanes. Ronderos turned in a one-over par 37 on the back nine. She birdied on the 12th hole and made even par on six of the holes on the back nine. Ronderos was five-over par on the front nine. For the day, she registered a pair of birdies.

Cuculiza, playing in her first collegiate tournament, finished four-over on the front nine and two-over par on the back nine. She too registered a pair of birdies and made par on eight of the 18 holes.

Senior Christina Hirano shot eight-over par 80 in round one posting a five-over par 41 on the front nine and three-over par on the back nine. She shot par on 10 of the 18 holes.

Sophomore walk-one Melanie Kleiner posted one of her best scores as a Hurricane as she shot 10-over par 82.

Play at the Cougar Classic will resume Monday with the second round. Miami is paired with Mississippi State and Richmond and will tee off at 12:54 p.m.

Miami Individual Results
T69 Maria Ronderos 78
T69 Carina Cuculiza 78
T88 Christina Hirano 80
T101 Melanie Kleiner 82