Third-Ranked Saints Upended in National Quarterfinals
DEARBORN, MICH. – Despite a solid week of golf, the nationally third-ranked Limestone University women's golf team had their season end prematurely as it fell to eighth-seeded Grand Valley State University in the quarterfinal round of match play at the 2021 NCAA Division II National Championships.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Location: TPC Michigan – Par-72, 5,848 yards
INSIDE THE SCORECARD
- Limestone fell to the Lakers, 3-2, in head-to-head match play in the quarterfinal round
- The Saints won its two matches by eight strokes, but loss three matches by a total of 16 strokes
- Senior Pilar Martinez (Malaga, Spain) dropped her individual match by two strokes
- She got off to a rough start with a 10 on the 6th hole, but battled back to take a three-stroke lead
- However, a bogey on 14 and a double on 17 would give Grand Valley State their first point
- Senior Lena Schilowsky (Gloggnitz, Austria) was in a tight back-and-forth in her matchup
- In a contest that featured four lead changes and three ties, a double on 14 by Schilowsky and a birdie by GVSU's Julia Sanchez proved to be the decisive blow as the Lakers moved ahead, 2-0
- Freshman Taylor Oberparleiter (Laurel Springs, N.J.) cut the Grand Valley State lead in half, 2-1
- She broke the fifth tie of the match on the par-4 16th and a birdie on 18 to win by a pair of strokes
- Freshman Stina Wikstrom (Gustafs, Sweden) fell behind early against GVSU's Megan Miron and never found a way to get back into her match as the Lakers took the decisive point by 10 strokes
- Senior Ebba Hellman (Ronninge, Sweden) used four straight birdies to pull away late for a point
- Hellman snapped the fourth tie with a birdie on the par-3 15th before following up with three more birdies over the last three holes to bring Limestone's season to a close
NOTABLES
- Limestone has been eliminated in the national quarterfinals for a second straight season
- Hellman, Martinez, and Schilowsky each made their second appearance in the quarterfinals
- Grand Valley State advances to face nationally top-ranked Dallas Baptist in the semifinals
- Friday's quarterfinal matchup was the final collegiate round in a storied career for Martinez
- Martinez graduates as arguably one of the best golfers in program history
- She is the only two-time Golfer of the Year in team history, winning the award once in Conference Carolinas (2019) and once in the South Atlantic Conference (2021)
- Martinez is a three-time All-Conference selection, earning first-team honors each time
- Although she did not compete at nationals this year, Friday also marked the final collegiate event for senior Delanie Mortier (North Charleston, S.C.) as a member of the women's golf program
- An all-conference selection as a junior, Mortier competed in the 2019 National Championships
THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH ZACK SIEFERT
About this year's team – "This year's group was a special team with a lot of special people. Such an incredible year and really proud of all they accomplished!"
About Pilar Martinez – "Pilar is the absolute funniest person I've ever coached! We have had so many good times together and so many highs. I have seen some unbelievable shots from her, good and bad, but she always laughed after each one. Incredible person, incredible player, incredible career. I will always have a special place in my heart for her and am proud that I had the opportunity to coach her."
MEDIA
Link to article at www.golimestonesaints.com