EDMOND, OKLA.— Seniors Lexi Hanson finished tied for eighth and Sydney Hubbard was tied for 16^th as the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team moved up two spots to grab seventh place in the team standings as the Diffee Ford-Lincoln Invite, hosted by Southern Nazarene, concluded on a windy Tuesday (March 9) at the Kickingbird Golf Course. 

USF, which was recently ranked 11th by Golf Stat in the Central Region, finished at 84-over par 644 (321-323) as they moved up due to consistent play throughout the tournament. USF opened with a 321 and followed up with a 323 on Tuesday. Central Oklahoma captured the title at 50-over par and 610 (303-307) with Rogers State second at 53-over par 613 (306-307) while SW Oklahoma State was third at 58-over par 618 (307-311).

"Overall, I am very proud of how the team never gave up throughout their rounds this week," said USF Head Golf Coach Tavia Rutherford, whose team will compete at the Hillcat Classic at the Bailey Ranch Golf Club in Owasso, Oklahoma on March 15-16. "Today, the women battled against 30 miles per hour winds and slow play but they stuck to their process and found a way to finish. We will continue to work on executing our game plan and tightening up our short game and decision-making. We look forward to implementing the lessons learned at the Hillcat Classic next week," said Rutherford.

Hanson finished at 151 (74-77), which was just two shots from the top-five. The senior from Chanhassen, Minnesota, who has been named the NSIC Preseason Golfer of the Year, opened with a 74 and finished at 77. A two-time All-Region and All-NSIC performer, Hanson carded a total one shot better than her 152 (74-78) at the Natural State Golf Classic a week ago. Hanson was 11^th overall with four birdies and finished fifth in par-four scoring at six-over par.

Hubbard, a senior from Onalaska, Wisconsin, finished 16^th with a two-round total of 156 (76-80). After opening with a 76, she closed at 80. Hubbard, who ranked seven in par-four scoring at eight-over par, finished with four birdies for 11^th among the competitors.  She carded a total that was three shots better than a week ago (159, Natural State Golf Classic).   

Sophomore Maggie Veenendall, who was playing as an individual, was tied for 27^th after finishing with a 20-over par 160 (78-82). After carding a 78 on day one, she closed at 82.

USF senior Kyleigh Moran made a substantial jump from day one to day two. With a 27-over par total of 167 (86-81), Moran moved 16 spots from a tie for 62^nd to a tie for 46^th. After opening at 86, she improved by five shots with an 81. The total of 167 was an improvement of five shots from a week ago (172, Natural State Golf Classic).

Junior Marisa Weeks also had a big jump in the individual standings as she tied teammate and senior Lexi Jonas for 60^th overall. Weeks finished at 33-over par 173 (88-85). After a round of 88 on day one, Weeks lowered her round score by three shots to 85. Jonas also had a 33-over par 173 (85-88).