LARCHWOOD, Iowa – The University of Sioux Falls women's golf team secured a runner-up finish at the USF Invitational, held October 12-13 at The Falls Golf Course. The Cougars' A team posted a two-round score of 631 (+55), highlighted by a strong final-round performance that helped Sioux Falls finish second in the nine-team field. USF's B team finished sixth with a score of 687 (+111).

Sophia Karsnia led the Cougars with a second-place individual finish at 152 (+8), while Gwen Latunski and Tanna Phares joined her inside the top 10. Sioux Falls demonstrated improvement across both lineups, with the A and B teams each lowering their scores in the final round.

---

Tournament Snapshot

• Top Cougar Finish: Sophia Karsnia – 2nd, 152 (+8)

• Lowest Round: Sophia Karsnia – 73 (+1), Round 2

• Team Best Round: A Team – 309 (+21), Round 2

• Number of Teams: 9

---

How It Happened

Sioux Falls opened the tournament with a 322 (+34) from its A team, led by Karsnia's opening-round 79 (+7). Phares followed with an 80 (+8), while Latunski and Abbie Ritzer contributed rounds of 81 (+9) and 82 (+10), respectively.

The Cougars responded with a 13-stroke improvement on Tuesday, combining for a 309 (+21) in the final round. Karsnia set the pace with a one-over 73, while Latunski followed with a 76 (+4). Phares added a 79 (+7), and Ritzer rounded out the team scoring with an 81 (+9).

USF's B team also improved between rounds, following an opening 348 (+60) with a 339 (+51) to finish sixth overall. Avery Nelson led the final-round effort with an 80 (+8), while Bryn Huber contributed an 84 (+12).

---

Top Cougar Performers

Karsnia paced Sioux Falls with rounds of 79 and 73 to finish second at 152 (+8). Her final-round 73 was the lowest score by a Cougar during the tournament and represented a six-stroke improvement from Monday's opening round.

Latunski secured a top-five finish, tying for fifth at 157 (+13) after following an opening 81 with a four-over 76. Phares joined her inside the top 10, tying for ninth at 159 (+15) with rounds of 80 and 79. Ritzer finished 18th at 163 (+19), improving one stroke in the final round.

Nelson led the B team with a 22nd-place finish at 166 (+22), highlighted by a six-stroke improvement from her opening 86 to a final-round 80. Huber followed in a tie for 26th at 170 (+26), improving two strokes on Tuesday, while Ava Cooper tied for 28th at 171 (+27).

Alexis Nerison delivered one of the Cougars' biggest improvements, shaving eight strokes off her opening-round 95 to finish with an 87. Cecelia VanDenTop improved three strokes between rounds, while Molly Halvorson lowered her score by 10 strokes on Tuesday. Competing individually, Lyric Riepma improved five strokes in the final round.

---

Cougar Scorecard

Team A – 2nd, 631 (+55)

Sophia Karsnia – 2nd – 79-73 – 152 (+8)
Gwen Latunski – T5 – 81-76 – 157 (+13)
Tanna Phares – T9 – 80-79 – 159 (+15)
Abbie Ritzer – 18th – 82-81 – 163 (+19)
Molly Halvorson – 32nd – 92-82 – 174 (+30)

Team B – 6th, 687 (+111)

Avery Nelson – 22nd – 86-80 – 166 (+22)
Bryn Huber – T26 – 86-84 – 170 (+26)
Ava Cooper – T28 – 83-88 – 171 (+27)
Alexis Nerison – 36th – 95-87 – 182 (+38)
Cecelia VanDenTop – T37 – 93-90 – 183 (+39)

Individual

Lyric Riepma – 47th – 100-95 – 195 (+51)

---

Coach's Corner

"I am happy with how well the women played after a very disappointing first round. We started really strong today, and for a long stretch of time we gave ourselves a chance to win. Unfortunately, we have finished second four times in a row, but I am hopeful that one of these times we will get that elusive win."

-Head Coach, Wade Merry

---

Up Next

The Women's Golf Team will wrap up the fall season next week when they head to Omaha, Nebraska for the Indian Creek Shootout hosted by Augustana.

---

Stay Connected

For all things USF Golf, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Be the first to know what's going on inside USF Athletics by subscribing to our Weekly Newsletter!