Albertazzi, Top-Ranked Sharks Defend Title at Lady Moc Classic

LAKELAND, Fla. – More hardware is headed back to Fort Lauderdale after freshman Valentina Albertazzi and the top-ranked Nova Southeastern women’s golf team swept both the individual and team titles on Tuesday at the Lady Moc Classic. As a team, the Sharks fired a final-round score of (E) 288 to edge fellow Sunshine State Conference foe Barry by one stroke, while Albertazzi erased a two-shot deficit over the final 18 holes to hold off Tampa’s Kiira Riihijarvi for her first career victory. Head coach Heather Wall‘s group has now won consecutive tournaments to open the season, and each of the past three Lady Moc Classic’s overall.

INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT:
Tournament Finish: 1st of 16 teams
Tournament Champion: Nova Southeastern
Location: Grasslands Golf and Country Club | Lakeland, Fla.
Par/Yardage: 72/6,085
Get Social: Twitter – @NSU_WGolf | Instagram – @NSU_WGolf | Facebook – /NSUSharksGolf

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • For the second time in as many weeks, the Sharks faced an uphill battle entering the final round of play, and for the second time in as many weeks, they managed to find a way to win. Opening the morning four shots behind Barry and in fourth overall, NSU produced the round of the day to secure Coach Wall’s 20th career win.
  • In an All-SSC Top-5, Tampa (+7) collected third, with Lynn (+15) and Saint Leo (+19) earning fourth and fifth, respectively.
  • Albertazzi was one of only seven players to post red numbers on Tuesday, using a (-2) 70 to beat out Riihijarvi by three strokes with a final score of (-11) 205.
  • Sofia Garcia Austt captured her second straight, Top-10 finish to begin the season. Following rounds of 70 and 73 on Monday, the junior registered another round of 73 Tuesday to wrap up play in sole possession of ninth.
  • Hanna Ahlander joined Albertazzi in red numbers during the final round. The sophomore’s 71 on Tuesday capped a strong finish to the tournament, as she came away in 14th at four-over par.
  • Nicola Fall put forth her best effort of the week in the final round, penciling in a (+2) 74 to earn a share of 29th.
  • At 13-over par, Mathilde Bertuol finished two back of Fall in a tie for 36th, as Sol Santecchia landed in 65th.

BEYOND THE SCORECARD:

  • Albertazzi’s 54-hole total of (-11) 205 marks the second lowest in program history, trailing only Taylor Collins, who carded a (-13) 203 through the first three rounds of the 2011 NCAA Division II Championship.
  • NSU’s team score of (+2) 866 ranks fourth all-time in program history among 54-hole totals.
  • Albertazzi has now finished among the Top-2 in each of the first two events of the season.

UP NEXT:
The Sharks will take a few weeks off of competition before returning to action on Mar. 9 for the start of the Peggy Kirk Bell Memorial Invitational, hosted by Rollins. For complete coverage, visit the schedule page on NSUSharks.com or follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSU_WGolf.
 
 

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