ATLANTA — Stanford women's golf came roaring back on Tuesday to force their way into Wednesday's championship match of the East Lake Cup. They nearly did the same thing on Wednesday to win the whole thing but came up just short in match play against the defending NCAA champions in Wake Forest, falling 3-2. Stanford finishes in second place in the East Lake Cup for the third time in program history.
Rachel Kuehn def. Sadie Englemann, 5&4
The good fortunes for individual champion Sadie Englemann ran out in the championship match on Wednesday, where she fell to two-time ACC Golfer of the Year, Rachel Kuehn. Englemann dropped the first hole and was never able to get back on the plus side of the scorecard, despite only dropping one hole on the back nine. Still, Englemann leaves Atlanta with her second collegiate championship and a lot of momentum heading into the spring.
Macy Pate def. Caroline Sturdza, 1UP
Stanford needed to flip this score in order to have a great chance, and Caroline Sturdza nearly was able to accomplish that. Sturdza went through a rollercoaster match against Macy Pate, where she was three down through eight holes, then won three-straight holes to tie it, and then again was two down with two holes remaining. Sturdza got the best of Pate on 17 to make it a one-stroke match, but drew even with a par on 18.
Paula Martin Sampedro def. Mimi Rhodes, 1UP
It was another great showing for Paula Martin Sampedro, who went unbeaten in match play during the East Lake Cup. She never trailed against Mimi Rhodes, but it got tight down the stretch. A birdie on 14 put Martin Sampedro up by one stroke, and she held on the rest of the way by matching Rhodes shot for shot, securing the first team point of the match for the Cardinal.
Kelly Xu def. Anne-Sterre den Dunnen, Third Playoff Hole
Stanford needed this match to go its way, and Kelly Xu delivered in comeback fashion. Like Ganne on Tuesday, Xu battled back from a deficit and birdied on 18 to force a playoff hole against Anne-Sterre den Dunnen. Both birdied on the first playoff hole to set up a second, where both knocked down par putts to force a third playoff hole. A return to 17 was a struggle for den Dunnen, who hit her ball in the water, giving Xu a two-putt for the point, tying the match at 2-2.
Carolina Chacarra def. Megha Ganne, 1UP
Despite the outcome going against her, no one can be disappointed in Megha Ganne battling back from the brink once again. She overcame a three-stroke deficit with four to play on Tuesday, and nearly overcame a four-stroke deficit with five to play on Wednesday. Needing a strong run against Carolina Chacarra, Ganne birdied on 14, hit a par putt on 15, and birdied again on 17 to pull within one stroke. Credit Chacarra for closing out, as she hit a fantastic shot onto the green for an easy par putt to secure the win and the title for Wake Forest.
Stanford will not return to action until February 19-21 when they head to Hawaii for the annual Pac-12 Preview, taking place on the Big Island.
