NU women’s golf team falls to 14th place after second day in Puerto Rico

After a chance to improve upon its start from yesterday, Nebraska women's golf team struggled in the second round of the Lady Puerto Rico Classic on Monday. While there was shifting among the leaderboard, the Huskers failed to take advantage of the close in on the leaders.

The invitational in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico helped kick off the start of the spring golf season for Nebraska and other women's collegiate programs across the country. The three round, 54-hole invite started with the first round on Sunday, with second round action on Monday.

After finishing in 11th place in the first round on Sunday, the Huskers fell three spots Monday to drop into 14th place out of the 15-team field.

With a total team score of 623, the Huskers were able to place ahead of fellow Big Ten competitor Penn State. NU's second round score of 314 was five shots higher than on Sunday. Georgia was able to overtake LSU for the lead in the second round by one shot to finish with a team score of 585 after the two were tied following the first round.

Senior Madeleine Sheils dropped a few spots from her even-par round of 72 yesterday. Sheils finished tied for 15th place with a four-over-par 76 on the second day of the invitational with a total score of 148.  

Georgia's Emilie Burger remains on top of the leaderboard but now shares that spot with Purdue's Laura Gonzalez, who vaulted up in the standings after being tied for 19th place on Sunday. Gonzalez helped lead a comeback for the Boilermakers, who were only one spot from the bottom after the first round, but finished in sixth following the completion of Monday's round.  

Sophomore Steffi Neisen was the only member of the Husker's roster to improve upon her score from Sunday. Neisen's 77 was one stroke better from her 78 on Sunday, and was good enough to put her tied for 41st.

Nebraska's Kayla Knopik shot an 80 while freshman Shelby Martinek matched her score of 81 from Sunday. Sophomore Katelyn Wright fell out of scoring position for the Huskers after shooting five strokes higher than Sunday with her 85. Individual competitor Katie Keiser shot an 87 to finish out the Husker's lineup.

Nebraska still has hopes to jump up the leaderboard with the final round tomorrow. Tee time for the last 18 holes of the 54-hole competition is at 5:30 a.m. local time Tuesday.

sports@dailynebraskan.com