Michigan State women’s golf headed back to NCAA Championships

The Michigan State women’s golf team just checked off its top goal.

Again.

The Spartans closed out the final round of a regional hosted by Oklahoma on Tuesday to move on to the NCAA Championships for the third straight year.

“This is another great accomplishment for this squad, but it’s also something they have expected of themselves,” coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said in a university press release. “Our Spartans are always driven and determined and making it to the National Championship today feels awesome. Once again, we continue to put Michigan State golf on the map.”

Defending national champion and top-ranked Stanford took first with an overall score of 23-under-par at Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club, followed by Northwestern (-14) and Michigan State (-1), Oklahoma (E) and Baylor (+3). The top five teams move on to the NCAA Championships.

The 54-hole regional was initially scheduled for Monday through Wednesday but anticipated inclement weather led to a 36-hole format on Monday. A half-dozen teams must still finish on Wednesday but the only squad among that group in striking distance of advancing in Oklahoma.

Taylor Kehoe led the Spartans by finishing tied for fifth individually with a 4-under 212 (72-71-69), followed by seniors Katie Lu and Brooke Biermann at even-par, Ana Sofia Murcia (+7) and Paula Balamzaegui (+9).

It was a somewhat bumpy start for Michigan State with a 3-over 291 in the opening 18 holes on Monday before a 6-under 282 in the afternoon that was the third-best score of the day. The rebound was key in the Spartans now advancing to the NCAA Championships from May 16-21 at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

Michigan State will make its 15th trip to the NCAA Championships in Slobodnik-Stoll’s 28th season as coach. Their best finish as a team was ninth in 2013.