By Hannah Wolke, Digital Communications Manager

Xavier’s women’s golf team delivered an outstanding performance at the Rio Verde Invitational on Feb. 23, finishing in third place out of 21 teams. The three-day tournament, held at the challenging Rio Verde Country Club in Arizona, showcased the Musketeers’ impressive skill and determination. With a total score of 869 (+5), Xavier’s consistent play was key to their success.  

They started strong with a round of 292 (+4), followed by an exceptional 284 (-4) in the second round. The team concluded the tournament with a solid 293 (+5), showcasing resilience despite challenging conditions. Their efforts earned them a third-place finish, while California Baptist University took the top spot with an even-par 864 and Illinois State narrowly claimed second place at 865 (+1).  

One of the standout performers for the Musketeers was freshman Isabel Brozena. Brozena earned a tie for fourth place with an impressive score of 215 (-1), marking her first career top-10 finish at Xavier. Her performance not only highlighted her potential, but also added a significant boost to the team’s overall standing in the highly competitive field.  

Meanwhile, in the race for the top individual honors, Cal Baptist’s Pusanisa Ekkantrong dominated the competition, securing medalist honors with an eye-catching score of 207 (-9), outshining the rest of the field of 103 golfers. 

Xavier’s strong showing didn’t stop with Brozena. Two more Musketeers earned top-10 finishes, emphasizing the team’s depth. Madison Reemsnyder claimed ninth place, further solidifying her role as one of the team’s top players with seven career top-10 finishes.  

Emma Welch rounded out the top 10, tying for 10th place, which marked her third career top-10 finish. The consistent play of these three athletes helped propel Xavier into the top tier of the tournament. 

The team’s performance at Rio Verde is a reflection of their hard work and strong team dynamics, which have been key factors in their successful start to the spring season. As they prepare for their next competition, the Momentum Transportation UNF Collegiate in Jacksonville, Fla. on March 3-4, Xavier looks to continue this momentum.  

Last fall, the Musketeers had an exciting and challenging season, competing in several prestigious tournaments. The team kicked off their campaign at the Boilermaker Classic in West Lafayette, Ind. on Sept. 2-3, where they faced tough competition to set the tone for the season. They then traveled to Greenville, S.C. for the Lady Paladin Invitational from Sept. 20-22, showing their grit and skill against top teams and winning the invitational. 

The week after the Lady Paladin Invitational, Carter and Reemsnyder were named Big East Golfers of the Week for their outstanding performance in the invitational. This invitational was Xavier’s first title win of the fall season. 

On Oct. 4-6, they headed to Denver, Colo. for the Ron Moore Intercollegiate, playing in the high altitude, gaining valuable experience and placing eighth. The fall season wrapped up with a seventh place win in Paradise Island, Bahamas, at the White Sands Bahamas Invitational from Oct. 18-20, where they competed in one of the most picturesque settings in collegiate golf. The fall schedule was full of challenges and memorable moments for the Musketeers as they prepared for the spring season ahead. 

With their talent, determination and camaraderie, the Musketeers are sure to impress as they head into another challenging event. Fans can expect more success from the team as they continue to shine this spring, setting their sights on even greater achievements.