Ferris State Women's Golf Closes Season With Fourth-Place Finish At NCAA East Regional Championships

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University women's golf team saw its NCAA Tournament run come to an end on Tuesday (May 6) as the Bulldogs finished fourth overall in the 2014 NCAA East Super Regional Championships held in Indianapolis, Ind.

The Bulldogs, who were making their 13th consecutive NCAA appearance this season, entered the day in third place just ahead of the University of Findlay with the top three teams at the close of the regional event advancing to the NCAA-II National Championships.

However, the Oilers carded a 316 figure in the final round to move past the Bulldogs, who shot their lowest score of the three-round event with a 332 on Tuesday.

Host Indianapolis and Grand Valley State both finished with 935 total scores in the 54-hole tournament to share first place honors with Findlay taking third place on the heels of a 949 total. FSU placed fourth (964) with California (Pa.) fifth (968) among the nine competing schools in the three-day tournament held at the Purgatory Golf Club in Indianapolis.

Ferris State had three individuals placed among the top 20 golfers overall with sophomore Libby Berens leading the Bulldog contingent with a tie for 11th place overall. She carded a 79 in the final 18 holes of action on Tuesday after previously posting scores of 79 in round one and 78 in round two for a 236 total.

Senior Ashley Swanson was two strokes behind Berens in a tie for 13th place in the individual field at 238 overall. She posted a first-round 77 before notching an 80 on Monday followed by an 81 in the final round.

FSU senior Jacqueline Mulder also finished her Bulldog career in the top 20 as she shared 20th overall with a 241 figure. After posting an 82 in round one, she shot an impressive even-par 72 score on Monday before wrapping up the tournament with an 87 in the final round of competition.

Fellow senior Emily Rohdy was next in line as she tied for 38th at 251 for the tournament. Rohdy recorded back-to-back 83 scores the first two rounds before closing the event with an 85 in Tuesday's round.

Finally, Bulldog sophomore Elizabeth Bauernfeind tied for 41st in the field at 254 for the three rounds. She totaled a first-round score of 81 followed by a second-round 84 score along with a final-round total of 89 in the final 18 holes.

Ferris State had opened the tournament tied for third place with Findlay on Sunday as both teams shot a 319 score. FSU then surpassed the Oilers by a stroke following Monday's second round as the Bulldogs shot a 313 and Findlay came in at 314 in round two before bouncing back in the final round.

The Bulldogs' top four finish marked the eighth time in as many tournaments this spring in which Ferris State finished among the top four teams, including a runner-up in the 2014 GLIAC Championships prior to the NCAA East Regional. FSU's fourth place overall finish in the regional competition marked its best showing since last advancing to the national championships in 2009.

FSU's senior contingent of Swanson, Mulder and Rohdy wrapped up their Bulldog careers by leading Ferris State to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.