@HurricanesGolf Shoots 282, Closes Gap at UCF

ORLANDO, Fla. – The 33rd-ranked Miami Hurricanes women’s golf team shot a second-round 282 to pull within two strokes of the lead Monday at the UCF Challenge. Miami’s 282 was the lowest second-round score of the day and the third-lowest round in program history.

Host UCF remains in the lead at 9-under 567, holding a two-stroke lead over the Hurricanes, whose 7-under 569 is the second-lowest 36-hole score in program history. It was one stroke shy of tying the program record of 568 set in October at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational.

Miami was under-par all day and was as low as 8-under on the day before finishing Monday’s round with a 6-under 282.

“They all played well, but Dani (Darquea) played exceptionally well,” head coach Patti Rizzo said. “The problem is the girls weren’t even happy today because they know it could have been much better if they had made their putts.”

UCF’s Fanny Cnops remains in the individual lead at 7-under 137, holding a one-stroke leader over teammate Ashley Holder (6-under 138). Miami is one of only two schools with three or more players under par through 36 holes.

“The team is psyched for Tuesday’s final round and they truly believe they can win,” Rizzo said.

Junior Leticia Ras-Anderica continues to lead the Miami contingent on the course. After her second straight round of 70, she is tied for fourth overall at 4-under 140 – three strokes behind the leader. Ras-Anderica’s 140 is a new career low through 36 holes, besting her previous mark of 141 set at the 2013 UCF Challenge.

Freshman Daniela Darquea fired a second-round 68 to finish tied for ninth at 2-under 142. Darquea opened Monday’s round with back-to-back-to-back birdies. Sophomore Kailey Walsh is the third Hurricane under par through 36 holes. The Georgia transfer is tied for 13th overall at 1-under 143.

Miami’s other freshman, Delfina Acosta, carded a second-round 71 to move the leadership to tie for 19th at even-par 144.

Lauren Riehle, competing as an individual, is tied for 59th at 5-over 149, while Rika Park is tied for 80th at 8-over 152. Park bounced back from Sunday’s first round performance, opening with two birdies through her first three holes and was 1-undy through 17 before a double bogey on No. 18.

The final round of the UCF Challenge will begin Tuesday with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Live scoring will be available at www.golfstatresults.com. Miami will be paired with UCF and Iowa State for the final round.

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