BEALLSVILLE, Md. – The Georgetown University women's golf team held off a late surge by Ball State to win the 2019 Hoya Invitational on Tuesday, turning in a three-round score of 42-over par 906. Additionally, senior
Christina Parsells (Bernardsville, N.J. / Kent Place) won her first individual title, claiming medalist honors with 2-over par 218. The Hoya Invitational was played at the par 72, 6,127-yard Four Streams.
The Hoyas turned in a 302 and a 299 during Monday's two rounds to hold a seven-stroke lead. Ball State made a run to take a brief lead on the back nine holes on Tuesday, but a late GU push gave them the eight-stroke victory. The Cardinals finished second at 50-over par 914 while Akron (+51, 915), Richmond (+53, 917) and St. John's (+63, 927) rounded out the top five.
Parsells was the leader following Monday's 36 holes after turning in a 1-under par in her first round and a 1-over par in round two to sit at an even 144. After dropping two strokes over the first nine holes on Tuesday, falling into second place, Parsells recorded three birdies over the back nine to jump back into first and seal her first career victory.
Elizabeth Nguyen (Pinehurst, N.C. / Pinecrest), who was playing as an individual, put together a top-five performance, placing fourth with a 5-over par 221. After a 76 in Monday's first round, Nguyen turned in an even-par 72 in the second round and a 1-over par 73 on Tuesday.
Alexa Popowitz (Boca Raton, Fla. / St. Andrew's) was Georgetown's third player in the top ten, finishing sixth with a 9-over par 225. After rounds of 76 and 74 on Monday, she climbed one spot in the rankings on Tuesday with a 75.
Ashley Fitzgibbons (Sammamish, Wash. / Eastlake Senior) finished just outside the top 10, tying for 11th at 14-over par 230.
Kate Evanko (West Chester, Pa. / Unionville), who was also playing as an individual, shot her best round of the spring with a 74 during Tuesday's second round. However, a tough Tuesday round saw her finish in a tie for 32nd at 22-over par 238.
Baili Park (Germantown, Tenn. / Houston High School) placed 39th with a 34-over par 250.
Pendleton Bogache (Myrtle Beach, S.C. / Episcopal [Va.]), whose over score was not counted because of a scorecard discrepancy in the first round, carded scores of 77 in each of the final two rounds to help the Hoyas to victory.
Georgetown will look to carry the momentum of its first win of the season as the team heads to Callawassie, South Carolina for the 2019 BIG EAST Championship. The Hoyas will be looking for their third-straight title as they competes over three days, April 19-21, at the Callawassie Island Golf Club.
