KINDER, La. - The University of South Alabama women’s golf team picked up where they left off in the fall with a victory at the 2007 McNeese State Cowgirl Invitational Tuesday in Kinder, La. The Lady Jags, who won three tournaments in the fall, played through tough conditions again as they fired a team score of 310 at the par 71 Koasati Pines Golf Club. Overall USA shot a 54 hole score of 932. Lamar golfer Therese Nilsson edged senior Lady Jag Elin Andersson and Nicole Forshner of Central Arkansas by two strokes recording a ten-over par 225.

“Obviously we are very pleased with the outcome and we have a group of very talented girls that got the job done,” said USA coach T.J. Jackson. “We had tough conditions again and we struggled some, but the girls are not letting a bad hole get them down.”

Sophomore Darah Newell fought back after a disappointing first two rounds to lead the Lady Jags to victory, firing five-over par 76. Andersson recorded a six-over par 77, while senior Michelle Toth carded six-over par 76. Junior Sara Marti and Sophomore Shirley Harvey, round out the Lady Jag scoring with rounds of 79 and 84 respectively.

“After the fall they seem to know how to play with a lead,” said Jackson. “We have a very tough test in a few weeks at Birmingham-Southern, but we have a confident team and we will have a few weeks to prepare for the next tournament.”

Lamar finished one stroke behind USA in second, firing a team score of 933. Sam Houston State recorded a 945, while Central Arkansas carded 952 and tournament host McNeese State finished in fifth recording 955.

Behind Nilsson were Andersson and Forshner both carding 225. Stefani Page of Lamar and Louisiana-Monroe golfer Angela Drane finished tied in fourth recording 230.

The Lady Jags return to action February 26-27 for the 2007 Southern Shootout held at Bent Brook Golf Club.

1 South Alabama 313 – 309 - 310 = 932

T-2 Elin Andersson 77 - 71 - 77 = 225

T-6 Sara Marti 75- 78 - 79 = 232

T-17 Michelle Toth 79 - 80 - 78 = 237

29 Darah Newell 87 - 80 - 76 = 243

47 Shirley Harvey 82 - 90 - 84 = 256