Sept. 28, 2010

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Sophomore Christine Shimel led the University of Maryland women's golf team to its first top-3 finish of the fall season at a rainy Bryan Park Players Course in Greensboro, N.C. Tuesday.

After losing out on Monday due to inclement weather, the Terps resumed play on Tuesday and finished the tournament tied for third overall. As a team, Maryland shot a 603, tying them with Western Carolina for third best. Thanks to a final card of 595, East Carolina claimed the classic's title after winning a fifth-card tiebreaker over North Carolina State.

Shimel's 4-over-par led the way for Maryland, which ended the first round tied for first. Behind Shimel, junior Jessica Hollandsworth and senior Hilary Lawson finished tied for 14th at 150 apiece. Sophomore Hayley Brown and senior Kerri Connolly rounded out play for the Terps, with scores of 155 and 165, respectively.

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. The Terps will continue their fall season Saturday as they head to South Bend for the William K. Warren Irish Invitational hosted by Notre Dame.

TEAM SCORES T1. East Carolina 595; T1. North Carolina St. 595; T3. Western Carolina 603; T3. Maryland 603; 5. Penn State 604; 6. Furman 610; 7. Mississippi St. 614; 8. East Tennessee St. 617; 9. Stetson 619; 10. UNCW 624; 11. Gardner-Webb 625; 12. Miami 626; 13. Winthrop 631; 14. UNCG 632; 15. High Point 663.

MARYLAND SCORES T8. Christine Shimel 148; T14. Jessica Hollandsworth 150; T14. Hilary Lawson 150; T33. Hayley Brown 155; T66. Kerri Connolly 164.