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Women’s Golf Wins Third National Championship

Haley Moore’s sudden-death birdie on the 19th hole of the final match
clinched the national title for the Wildcats.

by Arizona Athletics Bruce Waterfield photos

STILLWATER, Okla. — The University of Arizona home. So, I am so proud to be the coach to bring The University
women’s golf team captured its third national it back.”
title as the Wildcats edged Alabama, 3-2, in the The Crimson Tide stacked its lineup with
NCAA Women’s Golf Championships match play three first team All-Americans in the top three of Arizona now
final at Karsten Creek Golf Club in May. spots in the lineup. Each took an early 1-up lead
Haley Moore’s birdie on her 19th hole of the as the Wildcats were sluggish off the first tee. has won 22
day secured the championship after Alabama’s The championship is the third in program
Lakareber Abe forced the sudden-death extra history. The Wildcats first won the title trophy team national
hole. in 1996.
“It means so much,” Moore told the Golf “This year it has been an interesting year,
Channel. “It is actually like a dream. I never but with the talent of these five young women, I championships in
would have thought that it would be like this. I’m knew anything was possible,” Ianello said. “We
just so happy right now and for my team, and I played solid this entire spring, and we didn’t school history.
did this for them.” play our best, so in my gut I still felt we had
All five individuals won at least one match something out there. And so when we got here,
for the Wildcats over the last two days of match getting through Regionals can be a bear. When
play. It was a most satisfying collective team we got here, I knew anything was going to be
effort for eighth-year head coach Laura Ianello, possible.”
who was a member of the last UA women’s golf The University of Arizona now has 22 team
team to win a national title in 2000. national championships, with the golf title being
“Arizona is my home,” Ianello told the Golf the first since 2012, when Arizona baseball won
Channel. “It is where I went to school and it the College World Series.
[the national championship] needs to be back

Head golf coach Laura Ianello with trophy

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