TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Abby Newton shot an even-par 72, and the Georgia Southern women's golf team finished seventh at the NCAA Championship Tallahassee Regional Wednesday at Seminole Legacy Golf Club.

Newton (+4) tied for 12th to lead the Eagles and finished two strokes back of an individual bid to the NCAA Finals.

Sixteenth-ranked and regional host Florida State (-4) won the tournament, and No. 3 South Carolina (+13) shot 6-under today to tie 10th-ranked UCLA (+13) for second. Mississippi State (+27) earned the final team bid to the finals. Georgia Southern (+39) finished seventh, four strokes behind No. 22 and defending national champion Ole Miss.

FAU's Letizia Bagnoli (-5) finished second, earning an individual bid to the finals, and Chiara Tamburlini (+2) of Ole Miss shot a 6-under 66 today, the second-lowest round of the tournament, to earn the other individual bid. The top four teams and the top two individuals not on those teams from each of the six regionals advance to the finals, which will be played May 20-25 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Sarunchana Rattanasin shot a 75 for the second straight day, while Mia Kness posted a 76. Madison Heideman and Kaysie Harrelson each shot a 77. 

Newton birdied holes 7, 12 and 16 and shot 2-under on her final 12 holes. Rattanasin and Harrelson each shot even par on the front nine, and the Eagles were 2-over on the front as a team. Kness birdied 6 and 12 and played her first 15 holes 1-over, and Heideman was 1-over on the back 9, finishing the day with six straight pars.

The Tallahassee Regional field featured nine teams ranked nationally in the top-50 and 15 individuals ranked in the top-100, according to Golfstat.

Quotables from head coach Mimi Burke
"To say I'm proud is an understatement. If you told me in August we would be where we were today and had a chance all three rounds of regionals to advance to the national championship, I would be in disbelief. I couldn't imagine a better first season as the Head Women's Golf Coach at Georgia Southern. I feel so blessed to lead such a great group of ladies and have the best assistant in the country.  All of our players elevated their games to the max and next year, we will come back stronger. The future is bright! Hail Southern!"

Scores
Team – 300-303-300=903 (+39), 7
Abby Newton – 72-76-72=220 (+4), T12
Mia Kness – 74-76-76=226 (+10), T30
Sarunchana Rattanasin – 78-75-75=228 (+12), T33
Madison Heideman – 76-76-77=229 (+13), T35
Kaysie Harrelson – 84-SB-77
Emma Bell – SB-89-SB