Oilers' Memorable Season Ends in National Quarterfinal
Eureka, Mo. - The University of Findlay women's golf team wrapped up its 2023 campaign in the quarterfinals of medal match play at the NCAA Division II National Championship on Friday, May 19 at Fox Run Golf Club. The Oilers, ranked third in the country and seeded fourth, took on the fifth seed and number one team in DII, Lynn University. Findlay held the advantage midway through the round, but Lynn took control on the back nine, defeating the Oilers, the defending national champions, by a score of 4-1.
The Oilers got their lone win in the match from junior Gabby Woods who, in the stroke play portion, finished tied for runner-up on the individual leaderboard. Woods made an opening-hole quadruple bogey, taking an eight and falling behind by three strokes. She did not let that define her day as she went on to go four-under over the final 17 holes to shoot a 72. That effort was good enough to win her match by nine strokes.
Senior Jill Schmitmeyer was first to go out on Friday and, through nine holes, trailed by just one stroke. The three-time all-American would end up shooting 80 (+8) to wrap up her career. She finishes her time at Findlay as one of the all-time greats as she holds the career scoring record, was a conference Player of the Year, and never missed a trip to the DII National Championship.
A trio of 77s wrapped up the Oilers scoring as sophomores Mary Kelly Mulcahy, Erin Mulcahy, and freshman Hayley Dye all shot +5. Each of the three came up short in their matches as Lynn turned in rounds of 71, 68, and 74, respectively, in those matches.
Lynn moves on the play Dallas Baptist University in the semifinal this afternoon.
This marks the third time that the Oilers have been beaten in the national quarterfinals. All of their victories in medal match play came last season when they reached the ultimate prize.
As was the case a year ago, Findlay, which won the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) and a third regional title in four years, will return four players from this lineup as Woods, M. Mulcahy, E. Mulcahy, and Dye all will be back next season for the Oilers who will again be looking to put together yet another memorable season.
