Ortega closes out third-straight tournament win with strong performance at TPC Deere Run

SILVIS, Ill. - Competing in one of their strongest fields of the fall season, the Clarke University women's golf team came away with a third place finish at the Statesmen Invitational at TPC Deere Run on Tuesday after the two-day event began on Monday in Silvis, Ill.

The Pride were once again highlighted by freshman Amalia Ortega as the Quito, Ecuador native earned her third-straight individual title of the season with a final two-round total of 154 to win the tournament by two strokes over William Penn's Gabriana Franco after Ortega shot a 74 (+2) on Monday and followed it up with an 80 on Tuesday to hold on to what was a three-stroke lead with Franco shooting a 77 on Monday and a 79 on Tuesday.

As a team, CU finished with a final two-round team score of 692, 16 strokes behind the tournament winners of Bellevue University and 10 strokes behind the host Statesmen after the Pride turned in a 345 as a team on Monday and a 347 on Tuesday.

Fellow freshman Rose Halle produced another top 10 finish after shooting a 171 after an 85 on Monday and an 86 on Tuesday with Holly Elliott and Sydney Minyen finishing back-to-back on the leaderboard with Elliott in a tie for 22nd at 183 and Mineying tying for 24th at 184 then Rose McCartney ending the tournament at 197 over her 36 holes played.

The Pride women's team will play their final tournament of the fall at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Fall Preview on Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 20-21 at the Conference Championship Course of Paradise Point Outlaw Course in Smithville, Mo.