Photo Courtesy of FGCU Athletics

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Florida Gulf Coast University women’s golf team finished eighth of 12 teams at three-day the Lady Paladin Invitational from Sept. 18-20, at the Furman University Golf Course.

The Eagles carded an 8-over-par 296 in the final round to finish with a 54-hole total of 16-over 880. The University of Alabama captured the team title at 22-under 842, followed by High Point University at 12-under 852. Xavier University and Furman tied for third at 3-under 861, while Old Dominion University rounded out the top five at even par 864. FGCU finished four strokes behind seventh-place Georgia State University (876) and two shots ahead of ninth-place University of Minnesota (882).

“I was really proud of how this team competed all weekend,” FGCU head coach Shannon Sykora told FGCU Athletics.

Charlene Lamb paced the Eagles individually, tying for 22nd at 2-over 218 after opening with rounds of 2-under 70 and 2-over 74 before closing with a 2-over 74. Sarah Hyten carded FGCU’s low round of the day with a 1-over 73, following earlier rounds of 70 and 76 to finish tied for 24th at 3-over 219. Hyten paced FGCU with six birdies in her final round, she was strong on the back nine with birdies on holes 11, 13, 15 and 16.

Annie Yost placed tied for 30th at 6-over 222 following a 3-over 75, preceded by rounds of 74 and 73. Sydney Deal tied for 38th at 8-over 224 after opening with a 77, shooting a 71 in the second round, and finishing with a 76. Gia Culler-Guerra shot rounds of 76, 77, and a final-round 2-over 74 to finish tied for 46th at 11-over 227. Competing as an individual, junior Ann Burel bounced back with rounds of 80, 78, and a team-low matching 73, highlighting her back nine with four birdies to finish tied for 56th at 15-over 231.

As a team, the Eagles excelled in consistency, posting the third-most pars in the tournament field with 168.

FGCU will look to build on the performance when it returns to the course Sept. 26-27 for the Fighting Irish Classic hosted by Notre Dame at the Warren Golf Course in Notre Dame, Indiana.