SoCon Freshman of the Year Maria Salinas shot the Lady Mocs low round with an even-par 72.

Courtesy: GoMocs.com

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36 HOLE RESULTS

The 299 gives the Lady Mocs a 36-hole total of 602 (+26).  Chattanooga holds the coveted eighth-place position by six shots over Georgia State and Washington and is just three strokes behind host No. 24 Ohio State at 599 (+23).

“We are in the proper position,” said Head Coach Colette Murray.  “It’s the same as yesterday in that we haven’t accomplished anything, rather given ourselves the opportunity to advance.

“I’m proud of the effort.”

No. 2 UCLA continues to lead the way after a two-over par 290 in the second round moves it to two-under par 574 overall.  No. 9 Purdue shot the low round of the day with a 289 (+1) to remain in second place at 584 (+8).  No. 5 Oklahoma State (589), No. 11 Wake Forest (593), No. 19 Michigan State (595) and New Mexico (597) rank third through six with the Lobos sitting two shots ahead of the Buckeyes and five clear of the Lady Mocs.

The Bruins duo of Stephanie Kono and Maria Jose Uribe continue to lead individually after twin 70s (-2) place each at five-under par 139.  Maude-Aimee LeBlanc is just one shot back at 140 (-4) after a 69 of her own.

Maria Salinas was the story of the day.  After an opening round 80, Salinas was three-over par through six holes when a birdie at the par three eighth gave her a little momentum.  She played the final 12 holes at three-under par to shoot an even-par 72.

Salinas birdied eight, 15 and 18 to go with her 12 pars on the day.  No. 15 played as the sixth hardest hole in the opening round.  She is tied for 37th with six players, including teammate Emma de Groot, at 152.

Moa Duf played another solid two-over par round of 74 with a team-high 13 pars on the day.  She had birdies at five and 14 to offset two bogeys and a double bogey on the par five sixth.  Duf is tied for 13th in the tournament at 148 (+4), pacing the Lady Mocs.

de Groot birdied the ninth to go out at even par 36.  A double bogey at 17 gave her a 40 on the back side to shoot 76 (+4).  That was one shot ahead of Christine Wolf who came in at 77 (+5).

Wolf scored birdies at nine and 14 again today to go with nine pars and seven bogeys as she managed her way around the course and in now tied for 44th at nine-over par 153, one shot behind Salinas and de Groot.  Maria Juliana Loza struggled with an 81 (+9), but she did have the shot of the day holing out for eagle on the par four 15th hole.  She is tied for 77th at 158 (+14).

The Lady Mocs played the front nine at six-over par while coming in on the back nine at five-over for the 11-over par score of 299.  For the two rounds, Chattanooga has played the front side at plus 12, while playing the back nine at 14 over.

Maju Loza will lead the Lady Mocs off of No. 1 at 9 a.m., Saturday morning.  She will be followed by Wolf, Salinas, de Groot and Duf.  Chattanooga will be paired with Ohio State and Georgia State.