May 11, 2012
ERIE, Colo. -- - Stanford's goal heading into the West Regionals was simple: finish in the top eight to earn a trip to the NCAA Championships in Franklin, Tenn.
While the ultimate goal hasn't changed, the Cardinal may want to reset the bar after another solid round at the Colorado National Golf Club that helped 14th-seeded Stanford maintain a one stroke lead over LSU heading into Saturday's final round.
Stanford shot a five-over 293 today and is at 580 (+4) for the tournament, good for a one stroke lead over the Tigers and six strokes clear of North Carolina and UCLA, which sit at 586 (+10).
Baylor (593; +17), Texas Tech (594; +18), Pepperdine (596; +20) and California (597: 21) are currently inside the cutline, as the top eight teams advance to the NCAA Championships later this month.
Junior Sally Watson'ssecond consecutive round of 71 paced the Cardinal on Friday, leaving her in fourth place at 142 (-2) for the tournament. After suffering a double bogey on her ninth hole of the day, Watson birdied four out of the last nine holes, including the last three, for her 71.
After opening with a spectacular round of 67 on Thursday, Sydney Burlisonturned in a second round score of 74, leaving her at 141 (-3) for the tournament. She is in third place, two strokes behind 36-hole leader Catherine O'Donnell of North Carolina, who sits at 139 (-5) and one stroke behind Austin Ernst of LSU.
Burlison had four birdies to go along with four bogeys on her second round card.
Mariko Tumanganwas two over on her round before she got back to level with birdies on her 13th and 16th holes of the day. She bogeyed the last for her second straight round of 73, good for a tie for 12th place at 146.
Marissa Mar (76-75-151) and Kristina Wong(78-78-156) are tied for 47th and 91st place, respectively.
Stanford will tee off at 8:36 MT on Saturday and will be paired with North Carolina and LSU in the final round.