EAST LANSING, MI -- Sophomore Nicha Kanpai led the Maryland women's golf team to a top-four finish at the Mary Fossum Invitational Monday at the Forest Akers West Golf Course in East Lansing, Mich. Kanpai went two strokes over par overall and finished tied for ninth to lead the way for the Terrapins.

Maryland sat tied for 10th out of 15 teams competing after Sunday's first round. The Terrapins earned a combined score of 299, then improved their score in the second round by six strokes to 293 to move to seventh. In Monday's final round, the Terps shot a 293 again and moved ahead of Tennessee, Nebraska and Virginia Tech. The Terps earned an overall score of 881, which was +17.

"We battled a very challenging golf course this week and got better each round," head coach Kelly Hovland said. "The team managed their emotions and frustrations really well and were able to stay aggressive and make a lot of birdies. We led the tournament in par 5 scoring at -5 which was crucial to our strong finish today and 4th place finish in another strong field."

Kanpai earned a total score of 218, improving her score in each round (76-72-70). She led the Terrapins with 10 birdies. 

Graduate student Virginia Bossi finished in 18th in the individual standings with a score of 220 (74-74-72), which was four strokes over. She made seven birdies. Senior Patricie Mackova tied for 23rd and earned a score of 222 (72-78-72), which was six strokes over par. Mackova made an eagle on hole 17 in Monday's third round and finished with eight birdies.

Junior Panassaya Somchit tied for 32nd with her score of 225 (77-73-75), which was +9. She finished with seven birdies. Fifth-year Maria Vittoria Corbi shot a 230 (80-74-76), which was +14. She picked up six birdies.

Next, the Terrapins will compete at the Molly Collegiate Invitational in Seaside, Calif. Sept. 25-26.