Seton Hall University
First Round
Cantu, WGolf Lead at Rutgers Invite
10/5/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Christina Cantú (Houston, Texas) fired an even-par, 72, in Friday's first round of the 2012 Rutgers Women's Invitational to lead the Seton Hall women's golf team to a first place standing with 18 holes remaining.
The Pirates fired an 11-over-par, 299, as a team in the first round to set the program record for a par-72 course. Seton Hall has a five-stroke lead over Rutgers for the team lead of the 21-team field. A second BIG EAST competitor, St. John's, is currently in third place 13 strokes behind the Pirates.
After three top-5 finishes in three tournaments this fall, the Pirates are still seeking their first team victory. Twice, Seton Hall came up only one stroke shy.
Cantú led the Pirates on Friday and was the only golfer among 118 individuals to shoot par. Rutgers' Brittany Weddell, St. John's Harin Lee, Monmouth's Michelle Rosenhouse and Fairleigh Dickinson's Annika Karlsson are just one stroke behind for the individual lead.
"I'm incredibly proud of the team today," said Head Coach Sara Doell. "We came into this tournament knowing we had a chance to do something special and golfed with a purpose. Christina was her usual consistent, tremendous self today. I can't say enough about our overall performance."
Megan Tenhundfeld (Loveland, Ohio) is on pace for her third top-10 finish in four tournaments this fall. The freshman is only two strokes behind Cantú, following her 2-over-par, 74. Currently, Tenhundfeld is in sixth place overall.
Sophomore Ali Kruse (Overland Park, Kan.) is just two strokes behind Tenhundfeld after a 4-over-par, 76. She is tied for eighth place overall and sank an eight-foot put on her final hole to ensure Seton Hall's sub-300 round.
Junior Hannah Basalone (Brea, Calif.) golfed with flu-like symptoms all afternoon, but was still able to fire a 5-over-par, 77, in Friday's first round. Basalone is currently tied for 12th overall.
Freshman Karlie Zabrosky (Erie, Pa.) rounded out the Pirates' team scorecard today with an 8-over-par, 80.
Due to the close proximity of the tournament, the Pirates were able to bring two individuals as well. Sophomores McKenzie Cutter (Waldorf, Md.) and Erin McClure (Tucson, Ariz.) were separated by just one stroke. Cutter fired a 5-over-par, 77, and is tied for 12th place overall, while McClure had a 78 and is tied for 23rd.
If the Pirates can hold on to the team lead, it will be just the second team title in program history. Should Cantú win the individual title, it would be her first and the program's third all-time.
The Pirates will wrap up the 2012 Rutgers Women's Invitational with 18 final holes tomorrow afternoon. Complete results and recaps will be available on www.SHUpirates.com following the day's play.
