BOULDER CITY, Nev. -- The nationally top-ranked Anderson University women's golf team came just strokes away from an appearance in the National Championship match as they were defeated by a scorecard-playoff against top-seeded Dallas Baptist in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division II National Championship, hosted by Boulder Creek Golf Club.

The Trojans finished the stroke play portion of the tournament in fifth place as team, and drew the fourth-seeded Oilers of Findlay in the elite eight round. The Trojans were able to secure two early victories in their matches with senior Kennedy McGaha (Honea Path, S.C.) and junior Aly Francis (Stockbridge, Ga.) taking home wins against their opponents. Junior Kennedy Gooding (Lexington, S.C.) matched her opponent stroke for stroke, tying the match and giving the Trojans the slight lead at 2-1-1 with the final match to play. Senior Zoey Iglesias (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) was able to secure even pegging on the final hole of her match to finish one up and give Anderson the 3-1-1 win over the Oilers. 

In the national semifinal, it was junior Paige Paolucci (Blythewood, S.C.) and Francis that were able to pick up wins, while Gooding again tied her opponent over the 18-hole stretch. After all the matches were said and done, the two teams stood tied at 2-2-1, however, due to NCAA rules, the Patriots of Dallas Baptist were able to best the Trojans in the round by having the lower cumulative score during the match. This tiebreaker applies to the national quarterfinals and semifinals, while the national championship match is sent into a playoff.

Director of Golf/Head Women's Golf Coach Denton Moore:
"This truly was a season that I will never forget, and a team that will be remembered forever as one of not only the best golf teams in Anderson University history, but also as one of the best teams period at Anderson, regardless of sport. This group was extremely special, and they are not just a team, they are a family. In my 10 years of coaching, without a doubt, the best team I have every coached. They loved each other, supported each other and played for each other each and every event. They always put team accolades first, and it's why they were so successful and won so many individual awards.

This week in Vegas for the National Championships was awesome. We played great in the three rounds of stroke play. We had great rounds from all five of them. KMac was great all week, and earned herself an All-Tournament finish, and it also landed her on the First-Team All-American for the second year in a row. The 66 she shot in the second round was maybe the best round of golf I have ever seen from her, and that's saying something! Zoey was awesome this week, and the opening round of 67 was spectacular. It was the best round of her career on the biggest stage. Aly Francis was absolutely awesome this week. She was fantastic all week in stroke play, and then was our only player to win both of her matches in the match play round. KG was so solid each round. She did exactly what All-Americans do. She shot between 70 and 73 each and every round, she was the rock in the center of our lineup. Paige had the best week of her career. She was amazing! She was identical to KG in each round, and then in the semis we put her up against one of the best players in the country and she dominated that match.

Making it to match play was awesome, and it gave us a shot at winning the national championship. The girls were great in the first round against Findlay. We kinda cruised to a victory there. We knew DBU was the team to beat, and if we beat them, we really felt like we were going to win it all. They have now won three of the last five national championships. We have nothing but the upmost respect for Coach Trapp and his crew. We went toe to toe with them and came out with a 2-2-1 tie. Unfortunately, the NCAA doesn't play it off on the course until the final match. That is something that desperately needs to be fixed, especially at this stage of the season. This is the national championships. It should never be settled by stroke differential or some kind of scorecard playoff. But, we knew the rules going in, and it got us in the Final Four. It's a hard way to leave, really deep down knowing you didn't get beat, you tied. 

I am so proud of this team, and I love each and every one of these girls so much. this season was spectacular, and the Final Four is something we will remember forever. I can't put into words how proud of them I am. I am so proud of Austin Castles. He was unbelievable this week. He coached some of the hardest holes for us this week, and did a flat out amazing job. He is the best assistant in the county, and deserves to win the national assistant of the year award without a shadow of a doubt. We couldn't have done anything without him.

I'm also thankful for our SID Mike Sanders and our SWA Emily Richards. They were there with us every step of the way, and took care of everything we needed so that Austin and I could focus on coaching golf. We couldn't have had the week we did without them. 

This team is special, and Austin and I will never forget this season. I am so thankful for all the blood, sweat and tears these girls sacrificed this year. They will forever be one of the greats. I love them all very much, and will never forget their effort this year. We will be back! Go Trojans!"