Stelzmiller Starts Strong in Arizona

Peoria, Ariz. - Cassidy Stelzmiller fired the best two rounds of her career to lead the Nebraska women's golf team to a solid opening day of its spring season on Sunday at the Westbrook Spring Invitational.

Stelzmiller, a sophomore from Placerville, Calif., fired back-to-back rounds of even-par 72 on the 6,269-yard layout at the Westbrook Village Golf Club. She closed the first day of the two-day event in a tie for 18th place. 

Stelzmiller, whose previous career-best round was a 76, helped the Huskers close the first 36 holes in seventh place (295-287-582) in the strong 14-team field.

Senior Katelyn Wright added a career-best round of her own with a two-under-par 70 to lead the Huskers in the second round. With career-best scores from Wright and Stelzmiller, an even-par 72 from sophomore Cassie Deeg and a 73 from freshman Jordan Chael, the Huskers notched a one-under-par 287 in Sunday's second round. 

While Stelzmiller closed the day with a two-round total of 144, Wright was just one shot back at 145 (75-70) in a tie for 24th. Senior Steffi Neisen, who fired a one-under-par 71 in the opening round, added a second-round 76 to sit in a tie for 36th at 147 heading into Monday's final round.

Deeg managed an opening-round 77 to close the day at 149 in a tie for 46th.

The Huskers opened the day with a first-round 295, led by Neisen's 71 and Stelzmiller's 72. Wright added a 75 and Deeg a 77 to round out the team scoring. Chael struggled with an 82 before bouncing back strong with a second-round 73 to help the Huskers to one of their top rounds of the season.

Sophomore Morgan Smejkal also put together a pair of solid scores (77-75-152) playing as an individual outside the Husker lineup. The Columbus, Neb., native closed the day in a tie for 66th.

No. 19 Oregon took control of the tournament in the first two rounds with impressive scores of 279 and 274 to end the day at 553. No. 35 Ohio State sat six shots back at 559 (281-279), while No. 45 College of Charleston was a distant third at 571 (286-285), 18 stroke behind the Ducks.

Among the six Big Ten teams in the tournament, No. 46 Wisconsin sat in fourth at 574 (286-288), just eight strokes ahead of the Big Red. Indiana closed the day in fifth (287-292-579), just three stroke ahead of the Huskers. Nebraska sits three shots ahead of No. 36 Illinois and Iowa, which are tied for ninth.

On a day dominated by prime scoring conditions, Ohio State's Jessica Porvasnik took full advantage with rounds of 65 and 67 to end the day at 132. Porvasnik owned a one-shot lead over Oregon's Cathleen Santoso, who followed an opening-round 70 with a sizzling 63. Duck teammate Cassy Isagawa put together consecutive rounds of 68 to sit in third at 136.

Nebraska closes the Westbrook Spring Invitational with the final round on Monday morning. The round begins with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. (CT) with live scoring at GolfStat.com.

Westbrook Spring Invitational
Westbrook Village Golf Club (Peoria, Ariz.)
Par 72, 6,269 Yards
Feb. 23-24, 2014

Team Standings (Two Rounds)
1. #19 Oregon - 279-274-553
2. #35 Ohio State - 281-278-559
3. #45 College of Charleston - 286-285-571
4. #46 Wisconsin - 286-288-574
5. Indiana - 287-292-579
6. Oregon State - 283-297-580
7. Nebraska - 295-287-582
8. Kansas State - 294-290-584
T9. #36 Illinois - 292-293-585
T9. Iowa - 291-294-585
11. Washington State - 294-292-586
T12. Colorado State - 295-293-588
T12. Tulsa - 297-291-588
14. Eastern Michigan - 295-298-593

Individual Leaders
1. Jessica Porvasnik, Ohio State - 65-67-132
2. Cathleen Santoso, Oregon - 70-63-133
3. Cassy Isagawa, Oregon - 68-68-136
T4. Zoe-Beth Brake, Ohio State - 72-68-140
T4. Mary Chandler Bryan, College of Charleston - 73-67-140
T6. Allison Harper, Ohio State - 71-70-141
T6. Stephanie Miller, Illinois - 70-71-141
T6. Elizabeth Tong, Indiana - 71-70-141
T6. Kris Yoo, Wisconsin - 67-74-141
T10. Corey Crossan, Eastern Michigan - 70-72-142
T10. Caroline Inglis, Oregon - 71-71-142
T10. Katia Pogacar, Ohio State - 73-69-142

Nebraska Individuals
T18. Cassidy Stelzmiller - 72-72-144
T24. Katelyn Wright - 75-70-145
T36. Steffi Neisen - 71-76-147
T45. Cassie Deeg - 77-72-149
*T66. Morgan Smejkal - 77-75-152
T73. Jordan Chael - 82-73-155