Women's golf finishes second at Bruin/Wave Invitational

With three players in the top 10, the No. 1 Arizona State women's golf team concluded the Bruin/Wave Invitational two shots out of first for their fourth top three placing of the season. The team shot 4-over 868 (294-288-286) over the tournament at the par 72, 6,282-yard Robinson Ranch Valley Course. The Sun Devils came from seventh place after the first day to nearly take home the team trophy. USC won the inaugural tournament and Pepperdine's Danielle Kang took medalist honors.

"I was very pleased with how played the past two days," said eighth year head coach Melissa Luellen. "The girls played really solid. We had a chance to win today, but just didn't finish quite as well as we wanted to but we got them scared and came from behind."

Carlota Ciganda recorded her fourth top-10 finish of her sophomore season as she was the Sun Devils' low-scorer. The All-American carded a 1-under 215 (72-71-72). She carded four birdies on the front nine before the wind kicked up.

With a 3-under 69 in the final round, Giulia Molinaro was the low scorer of the day and ended the tournament tied for seventh. The sophomore finished an even 216 (73-74-69) to earn her first top 10 placing of her college career. Molinaro, who hardly missed a putt in the final round, knocked in four birdies in a row on the front nine.

"Giulia just had a great round and shot the ball well in tough conditions," said Luellen. "She knew she had to play well and really stepped it up."

Continuing her stellar freshman season, Jennifer Johnson tied with Molinaro for seventh. Johnson carded an even 216 (74-73-69) for her fifth top 10 placing of the season. With an almost perfect placing next to the pin, Johnson concluded her tournament with a birdie on Hole 18.

Jaclyn Sweeney placed just out of the top 20 as she tied for 21st. The junior shot even par on the final day finish 5-over 221 (75-74-72). Juliana Murcia, who was suffering with a minor toe injury throughout the tournament, finished 12-over 228 (77-75-76).

"Juliana had an ingrown toenail and was really in a lot of pain but toughed it out," said Luellen. "She was really disappointed in her play in this tournament but I can assure you she'll be back for the last four tournaments of the year, playing strong."

The Sun Devils have over a month off before hosting the PING/ASU Invitational in April.