From NYU Athletics

The New York University women's golf team is in sixth place after the third round of play at the NCAA Division III Championship, which is being held at the par-72, 5,869-yard Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, TX, Tuesday-Friday, May 9-12.

The Violets shot 306 overall on Thursday. That gives NYU a three-round total of 929 (320-303-306).

George Fox University leads the 22-team field with a score of 903. Rhodes College and Williams College are trailing behind with totals of 907 and 914, respectively.

Whittenberg University is in fourth place with a score of 917, while University of Texas @ Tyler is just ahead of the Violets at 927.

"After a not-so-great first round and an outstanding second round, we just leveled off a bit today," said Head Coach Brad Johnson. "The wind was a factor early, but mostly went away during the back nine."

Leading the Violets on Thursday was junior Alyssa Poentis, who shot a three-over-par 75. She is now in a tie for 14th place overall with a score of 227 (80-72-75). Overcoming a triple bogey on her first hole, Poentis shot par the rest of the way.

"Sometimes when something bad like that happens, I tend to shut down," Poentis revealed. "But, I've been working on the mental aspect of my game, and I think this tournament has helped me focus to come back from the bad holes. I realize that it is only one bad hole and I have much more to play." 

Sophomore Jenni Bluetling and sophomore Patty Treevichaphan each carded a 76. Bluetling is now tied for 22nd place with an overall score of 231 (82-73-76), while Treevichaphan has shot 235 (79-80-76) and is tied for 28th place.

Also scoring for NYU on Thursday was freshman Arisa Kimura, who posted a round of 79. She is now tied for 36th with a total score of 238 (81-78-79).      

Junior Kristin Lee, also competing for NYU, shot 81 and is now in a tie for 60th place (247, 80-86-81).

"We have another round ahead to improve and move up in the standings," Johnson said. "We are planning to finish the season on a high note."