Reports From LBSU

Long Beach State sophomore Monica Villarreal fired an even-71 in Tuesday’s final round of the Anteater Invitational at the Dove Canyon Country Club to climb from 20th place to tie for ninth as she led the way for The Beach as the 49ers finished in fifth.

Villarreal had an impressive scorecard that was marked by two consecutive birdies on the back nine at the Nos. 3 and 4 holes and a total of just two bogeys for the day as she finished with a 54-hole total of 225 (+12).

The 49ers recorded their best round of the tournament with a 297 to finish with a total score of 915 (+63), just one stroke behind tournament host UC Irvine at 914 and three strokes behind third place Kentucky (912). Forty-eighth ranked San Diego State claimed the team title as the Aztecs scored an 899 (+47) to finish six-strokes ahead of No. 43 San Francisco (905).

Freshman Simone Hoey finished second for LBSU as she carded a final round score of 75 to finish at 226 (+13) to tie for 12th, followed by sophomore Noelle Zavaleta as she finished in 31st with a 73 for a 235 (+22).

Senior Brenda Chhuor and junior Lindsey McAtee tied for 32nd as both players finished with a 236 (+23). Chhuor shot a 78, while McAtee came in with an 80.

Kayla Mortellaro of Idaho claimed the individual medalist with a 214 (-3), finishing just three shots ahead of Hillary Packard of UC Irvine (217) and Christine Wong of San Diego State (220). 

The 49ers are off the next three weeks as they prepare to defend their title at the Big West Conference Championship, Apr. 18-20, at the San Luis Obispo Country Club in San Luis Obispo.