Sept. 13, 2010

HANAHAN, S.C. - The Maryland women's golf team shaved 11 strokes off their team total during the second round of competition at the Cougar Classic today to card a 298. They jumped four spots up the leader board to take 13th place after 36 holes. The Terps are being led by sophomore Christine Shimel who is currently in the top-25 with a two-day total of 148 (74-74).

Maryland finishes tournament play tomorrow Tuesday, Sept. 14, after a shotgun start. The Cougar Classic is being held at Yeamans Hall Golf Club. Also participating in the tournament for the Terps are senior Kerri Connolly, junior Jessica Hollandsworth, senior Hilary Lawson and sophomore Hayley Brown.

The Terrapins are coming off of a successful 2010 campaign, with six top-5 finishes and a showing in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. They finished 18th at the West Regional in Stanford, Calif., led by recent graduate Carly Hunt with a 16 over-par 229.

Both Hollandsworth and Shimel were All-ACC selections last season. Hollandsworth earned two top-20 finishes and a top-10 placing in the spring. Last season Hollandsworth led Maryland at the Classic, finishing in a tie for fifth with a three-under-par 213. In her collegiate debut Shimel took three top-10 finishes earning the runner-up spot twice. With a 74.84 average she ranks second in Maryland's all-time season average record book.

Also returning for Maryland is Alexis Holmes and Lauren Varnas. Head coach Jason Rodenhaver has also added walk-on Lauren Smith to the roster.

Other schools participating in the Cougar Classic include: Charleston Southern, College of Charleston, Florida, Florida State, Furman, Kentucky, Miami, Minnesota, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, North Carolina, UNC Greensboro, N.C. State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Richmond, South Carolina, South Florida, UCF and Wisconsin.

Results will be posted at www.CofCSports.com following each day's round by 8 p.m.

- TERPS -