Feb. 18, 2008

Miami, Fla. - The Southern Miss women's golf team shot a second round 316 to sit in 12th-place heading into the final round of the Qdoba Invitational hosted by the University of Miami (Fla.). The tournament is being played at the Don Shula Resort.

Freshman Virginia Espejo shot a 79 to sit in a tie for 43rd-place with 159. Freshman Jennifer Judge shot an 80 to tie for 45th-place with 160 strokes. Sophomore Samantha Holt is tied for 50th after shooting an 80 for a two-day total of 161. Juniors Heather Golden and Kate Burns round out the Lady Eagles by shooting a 77 (162, t52nd) and 92 (177, 65th), respectively.

Jessica Steward of Miami leads the individual competition with a one-under 143. East Carolina's Colleen Estes is in second with a two-over par 146. Mallory Blackwelder of Kentucky and ECU's Abby Bools are tied for third with 147 strokes.

East Carolina leads the team scoring with a 14-over par 590. Louisville is in second with 598 strokes and Miami is in third place with 598 strokes. Virginia sits in fourth with 605 strokes.

San Jose State sits in fifth place with 607 strokes, followed by Kentucky (617), Kansas (621), New Mexico State (623), Mississippi State (626), South Florida (629), Coastal Carolina (637) and Southern Miss (642).

The tournament concludes tomorrow morning with the final 18 holes. Play begins with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.