Sophie Spiva posts UW’s lone victory in hard fought match

PALM DESERT, Calif., – Wyoming Cowgirls golf opened the Mountain Classic Matchplay with a 4-1 loss to Northern Arizona on Monday at The Classic Club.

Sophie Spiva, a junior from Casper, highlighted the Cowgirls' match by defeating NAU's Ava Bates 3&2 after posting five birdies and clinching the match on the 16th hole.

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"Sophie had control all day of her match," UW head coach Josey Stender said. "She was just very confident and poised today."

Kyla Wilde, who went 3-0 in the event last season to lead UW to a third-place finish, lost to Lizze Neale 1&0. Meghan Vogt, the Cowgirls' other senior, lost to Sumin Kang 3&2.

"We really gave NAU a run for their money," Stender said. "They came into the tournament ranked 85th with two individuals on postseason watch lists and as defending champs. We had three matches go to the last hole and in our losses the girls were one or two over par. Just great play overall for our first competition day (of the spring)."

Freshman Emerson Purcell and sophomore Kira Reisner both dropped their matchups 1&0.

"I'm also really proud of Kira and Emerson," Stender said. "Their first time competing in the lineup and they both had a lot of birdies and battled until the end."

The Cowgirls will face North Dakota State in the consolation bracket on Tuesday.

Cowgirls Results vs. Northern Arizona

Lizzie Neale over Kyla Wilde, 1&0
Sumin Kang over Meghan Vogt, 3&2
Sophie Spiva over Ava Bates, 3&2
Ellana Slater over Emerson Purcell, 1&0
Amy Hodgkins over Kira Reisner, 1&0

Independent matches

Emily Cadwell (Boise State over) Lucia Morelli (UW), 5&4
Nina Lukyanenko (NAU) over Grace Dunkleberger (UW), 2&0
Samantha Spielman (UW) over Jo Baranczyk (North Dakota State), 3&2

Team Results

Boise State over Portland State, 5-0
Seattle over Montana State, 4-1
Northern Arizona over Wyoming, 4-1
St. Thomas over North Dakota State, 4-1

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players