BOULDER CITY, Nev. – Idaho women's golf shot under par in all three rounds of the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown Sunday through Tuesday, finishing fifth at 7-under. It is the second time in program history the Vandals have recorded three sub-par rounds as a team in the same tournament and the 857 total score is the second-best score turned in by an Idaho women's golf team.
 
"This is the kind of performance we've been working toward," said head coach Lisa Johnson. "It's been an up and down fall for us, but in this tournament we were solid from start to finish."
 
The Vandals shot 2-under 286 on Sunday in the first round, followed by a 4-under 284 Monday, and a 1-under 287 Tuesday, to round out the event.
 
Sophie Hausmann led the way with a fifth-place finish, individually. Hausmann shot 9-under, including a 6-under 66 in the final round Tuesday. She carded five birdies and one eagle, bringing her tournament total to 13 birdies and two eagles. The senior played just six of the 54 holes over par.
 
"Sophie hit the ball well and gave herself a lot of birdie opportunities," Johnson said. "She knows this golf course so well and has seen a lot of low numbers here that we all knew it was just a matter of time this week."
 
The tournament was played at the Boulder Creek Golf Club, which has played host to the past three Big Sky Conference Championships and will do so again in 2019. Idaho has won two conference team titles at the course, while Hausmann has collected a pair of individual conference tournament championships as well.
 
Sophomore Valeria Patino finished in a tie for 21st at even par for the tournament. Patino shot 1-under each of the first two days before finishing with a 2-over 74. She made nine birdies on the weekend, including six in the second round Monday to overcome a slow start.
 
"Valeria has definitely improved her mental game and her golf swing," said Johnson. "Her swing is even more technically sound this year than last. She's stronger and more stable. Last year she just came and played. This year she set her goals higher. She was disappointed in how she finished her round today, but that shows how far she has come to be disappointed with a 2-over round and an even-par tournament."
 
Junior Dankia Palm and freshman Vicky Tsai each turned in single-round carer bests throughout the week. Palm fired a 1-under 71 in the opening round. Tsai carded a 2-under 70 in the second round, helping Idaho post three sub-par scores Monday.
 
The tournament marks the conclusion of Idaho's fall season. The Vandals will be back in action Feb. 25-26, at The Gold Rush, where Hausmann is the two-time defending champion.
 
"We need to work on strength and flexibility in the weight room during the offseason," Johnson said. "Everyone has a little bit of technical work to do, so we will spend as much time as we can in our indoor facility."
 
Team Results
5.            Idaho                                    857 (7-under; 286-284-287)
 
Individual Results
5.            Sophie Hausmann           207 (9-under; 72-69-66)
T-21.      Valeria Patino                    216 (Even; 71-71-74)
T-36.      Michelle Kim                      219 (3-over; 72-74-73)
T-53.      Vicky Tsai                             223 (7-over; 79-70-74)
T-56.      Danika Palm                       224 (8-over; 71-74-79)