GREENVILLE, S.C. – Sarunchana Rattanasin and Abby Newton each shot 3-round totals of 218 (+2) to lead the Georgia Southern women's golf team to a tie for sixth at the Lady Paladin Invitational at Furman University Golf Course.

It's the best finish for the Eagles in their fifth appearance in the event. Host Furman won the tournament, followed by North Florida, Augusta, Coastal Carolina and James Madison. The Eagles tied with Western Kentucky, seven strokes ahead of UNCW.

Newton and Rattanasin tied for 12th on the individual leaderboard, and Mia Kness tied for 27th. The Eagles ranked third in the event with 176 pars.

Newton fired a career-best 70 in the first round and backed it up with a 73 in the second. The sophomore started the tournament with a birdie and made two more at 4 and 7 to finish the front nine of her first round with a 33. She played the back even with birdies at 10 and 15. On day two, Newton made a birdie at 2 and ran off eight straight pars before birdieing 12. She finished the round with four consecutive pars.

Rattanasin carded a 69 in the second round, tied for the third lowest of the day. The freshman made three straight birdies to start the round and made the turn at 3-under. She added birdies at 11 and 13 and finished the day with three straight pars. Rattanasin led the Eagles with a 74 in the final round.  

Freshman Karlee Vardas posted a 73 in the second round after making birdies at 3 and 9 and capping the round with six straight pars. 

Results
Team – 295-290-299=884 (+20), T6
Sarunchana Rattanasin – 75-69-74=218 (+2), T12
Abby Newton – 70-73-75=218 (+2), T12
Mia Kness – 74-75-74=223 (+7), T27
Alexandra Stevenson – 76-77-76=229 (+13), T44
Karlee Vardas – 80-73-77=230 (+14), 48
Madison Heideman* – 80-76-76=232 (+16), T53
* Playing as individual

Quotables from Coach Mimi Burke
"The first two days at Furman really showed what this team is capable of, and in my eyes, that wasn't even close to full potential. Unfortunately, we didn't finish how we wanted and left a lot out there. But once we get everyone clicking at the same time, I think it's apparent that we have something that will be special this season. The team is already ready to learn from this and get back to work to dial in some areas that need improvement before Edisto."

Up Next
The Eagles travel to the Edisto Island Invitational Oct. 10-12.