RESULTS & LIVE SCORING
ROCHESTER, Michigan - The Oakland University women's golf team opened the Motor City Cup at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, on Sunday, February 9, with a first round victory over UIC. Play was suspended in the semifinals due to darkness and will resume on Monday, February 10.
The Golden Grizzlies advanced with a mark of 3-2-1 over the Flames. It was two of Oakland's freshmen that earned victories to clinch the team match.
Freshman Emily Fleming claimed her match, needing 17 holes to clinch the victory up three. Fleming used a late rally, winning holes 15 through 17 in what was a back-and-forth decision.
Freshman Kay Zubkus - who led the team this fall with an average of 76.64 - knocked out Megan Tang of UIC. Leading by one heading into the 18th, the Ada, Michigan, native recorded a five to Tang's six to take the two-hole advantage.
Junior Sydney Martens had a convincing first round win over UIC's Emma Hayes. Martens jumped out to an early lead with a four on the first hole. She took control of her match off the turn, claiming No. 10 to take a three-hole lead with eight to play. A one-stroke edge on 14 sealed the bout in Marten's favor.
Oakland met the second-seeded Creighton in the semifinals. With the golfers in the clubhouse for the day, the Bluejays lead 3-1-2 with two matches remaining undecided.
Junior Amalia Shahzan and Fleming tied through 18. Martens and junior Lizzy Marlinga both trail in their matches by 1 through 14 holes.
Freshman Mariella Simoncini rebounded from a round one defeat to win in 18. Simoncini took a two-hole edge into the final two holes. A four from Creighton's Amelia Lee cut the lead to one but the two would notch a pair of sixes on 18.
Zubkus ended the day tied for the best scoring average on Par 4's out of field with a 4.11 - finishing +2. Zubkus and Shahzan recorded more pars than any other two golfers on the course, tallying 27 and 24, respectively. Shahzan, Zubkus and Martens all had three birdies on their scorecards - Brooke Beyer of UIC led all golfers with six.
Play is set to resume tomorrow at 7 am. Oakland, IUPUI, Valparaiso and Creighton all advanced out of the first round. IUPUI completed its semifinal match, defeating Valpo, 3-1-2, to advance to the finals.
Tournament Information
Women's Course: Las Colinas | 6,171 yards | Par 73
Location: Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
Tournament Format: Match play; 36 holes on Sunday, 18 holes on Monday (7:00 a.m. fixed start, groups will start eight minutes apart).
Participating Teams (8): Oakland (host), Creighton, IUPUI, Loyola Chicago, Northern Kentucky, UIC, Valparaiso, Detroit Mercy
