HAGERSTOWN, Md. - The Bridgewater College women's golf team's fall seemed destined to be a season of second place finishes. Their first three tournaments of 2022-2023 all resulted in runner up status and after Saturday's round at the Cardinal Fall Classic they were sixteen strokes back; but on Sunday the Eagles came storming back to claim a four stroke victory. 
 
"This was a really sweet victory," said John Rogers. "And probably the biggest comeback I've seen in my ten years of college coaching. After a tough first round on a course they had never seen, the ladies got focused and came up with a plan for shooting a much better score. I'm pleased for them to earn such a satisfying win."
 
Bridgewater used a balanced scoring attack to catch the host team from Catholic University, and they were led by senior Savannah Scott who posted an 80. The match was a close three-way contest that included Marymount University when there were nine holes remaining, so the Eagles needed a strong finish to claim the top spot. For her part, Scott played the final six holes at one over par to help clench the victory. 
 
Sophomore Sophia Martone had a bit of a roller coaster ride for her final round, but she had a couple clutch birdies when the team was trying to pull away from the field. She birdied her twelfth and fifteenth holes after a shotgun start and her pair of 81's earned her a 5th place finish. Wrapping up an impressive fall season, Martone preceded this tournament with a medal and two runner up finishes. 
 
Senior Madolin Neff was in a scoring slump going back to the previous tournament at Lexington Country Club, but she worked hard at the driving range on Sunday morning to develop a strong pre-shot routine and a better swing. Her efforts paid off with some excellent ball striking and she came in with a much needed 81. She claimed a top ten finish (9th) along with Martone and Scott (8th). 
 
Just like her teammates, senior Shaina Beach elevated her game when the competition got fierce, and she played her final six holes at plus one to help seal the deal. Beach, who has had a love-hate relationship with her driver over the years, has felt better about her tee balls and thought they put her in good positions today. She posted 84 and out of 44 players tied for 11th. 
 
Freshman Emily Price continued to gain valuable experience early in her career and she came in with an 89 on Sunday. She handled the front nine at Black Rock Golf course very well, playing in at plus five the highlight of the round was making birdie on the long par three, seventh hole, which was played as the fourth toughest hole on the course. "Emily has a high level of athleticism and a ton of potential," noted Rogers, "right now she is going through the typical face for first year players where they have to get accustomed to the many challenges of collegiate golf. She tends to be really hard on herself but she will be a big part of this program in the years to come." 
 
Following one of her best collegiate numbers, Sophomore Evelyn Hunter came in with a 92 to close out the Cardinal classic. 42 on the front nine was the second best nine hole score of her young career. 
 
The Eagles ended up four strokes clear of Catholic and ten better than Marymount. With a win among seven colleges (shooting a team score of 326) the Eagles finished their fall season with a cumulative head to head record of 25-3. Rogers pointed out that it took a while to get the win, but that this was probably the Eagles best overall record. 
 
The Eagles season was shortened by rain, once for the second round and once for the entire tournament. They look forward to getting back in action during their annual spring trip at the end of February.