GREENVILLE, N.C. — The High Point University women's golf team won its first tournament of the season behind a 2-under-par team finish at The Pirate Collegiate Classic hosted by East Carolina University. Sophomore Anna Howerton led the way with a 5-under-par, second-place finish for another top-5 individual placement on Tuesday afternoon. 

The Panthers had four in the top-10 leaderboard as they fought through rough course conditions. The tournament was shortened to two rounds due to inclement weather.

Head Coach Lyndsey Hunnell: "I am beyond proud of how the team performed this week! Out the gate, we were under par quickly and I had a good feeling about how this tournament was going to go. They faced a lot of adversity with multiple rain delays and wet course conditions, but they never let it discourage them. Every single one of them contributed to our victory; I'm excited of what we are building! Anna has unlocked a new level of her game that is just remarkable to watch. Every time she tees it up she's in contention of the medalist honor. Anaïs is impressing me every time I watch her play. She's so accurate on the course and is always surprising me. Ella continues to be our rock. She is so consistent! We can always depend on her on and off the course to set the tone of our culture. Jules is becoming so consistent for us as well. She continues to play smart golf and doesn't let big numbers find her. Sofia is finally showing glimpses of the player I know she can be. We went into Tuesday knowing that we had a chance at winning so she was locked in to help her team. Savannah had a great final round! She is definitely going to be a great player for us on the course and with our team dynamic."

Site: Greenville, N.C.
Course: Greenville Country Club  
Par/Yardage: 72/5952
 
HPU Top Finisher: Anna Howerton (2)  —  70, 69 (139) -5
HPU Team Finish: 1 of 15 teams — 287, 287 (574) -2

Panther Placement:
T2 Anna Howerton -5 (70,69)
8 Anais Arafi +1 (72,73)
T9 Ella Perna +2 (72,74)
T9 Julia McLaughlin +2 (73,73)
T27 Sofia Benavides-Herberth +6 (78,72)
IND T45 Savannah Cherry +9  (80,73)

Howerton was High Point's top finisher as she continues to play impressive golf with her best finish this season. Even in tough conditions, she put together a pair of great rounds for a second-place finish. In the first round, she finished with a 2-under-par 70 and finished the back nine with five birdies. In round two, Howerton kept pace with a 3-under-par 69 with five birdies.

Anais Arafi earned her spot in the starting lineup after an impressive play last week at the Lady Paladin Invitational. Arafi battled through the soggy conditions with rounds of 72 and 73 for an eighth-place finish. The freshman had an eagle on hole 18 in the first round, while she had a combined five birdies to finish in the top-10 golfers.

Ella Perna carded a 72 and 74 with a combined seven birdies, respectively, while Julia McLaughlin shot back-to-back 1-over-par 73 rounds as both tied for 9th overall. Sofia Benavides-Herberth placed 27th as the graduate student carded a round one 78 and wrapped up the tournament with an even 72.

Competing as an individual, Savannah Cherry shot 8-over-par 80 in round one with two birdies. She finished round two with a 1-over-par-73 with four birdies to
close out the tournament. 

Up Next: HPU heads to Savannah for the Southern 2024 on Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 14-15.