From NYU Athletics

The New York University women's golf team, currently ranked #3 in the nation by Golfstat.com, completed the third round of play at the NCAA Championship, which is being held Tuesday-Friday, May 8-11, at the Mission Inn Resort & Club at Howey-in-the-Hills, FL.

NYU shot a 319 on Thursday and sits in fourth place among 25 teams with a three-day score of 957 (321-317-319). Second-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps has maintained its lead, with a three-round score of 944, while #4 Williams College (948) and #1 George Fox University (952) are in second and third place, respectively. The Violets' University Athletic Association (UAA) counterparts #10 Carnegie Mellon University rounds out the top five with a 989, a distant 14 strokes ahead of sixth-place and 15th-ranked Carlton College.

"We started strong today, but didn't end as well," said NYU Head Coach Brad Johnson. "Ultimately, there are probably just five teams that have a chance at winning this tournament and we are one of them, which is a good thing."

Freshman Navika Kuchakulla posted the best score for the Violets for the third-straight day and is in second place out of 130 individuals with a three-round score of 227 (79-73-75). Claremont-Mudd-Scripps' Margaret Loncki leads the individual race by three strokes. 

"Navika has been unbelievable this week," added Johnson. "She's proved herself as one of the best golfers in the country all year, this is no fluke."

Alyssa Poentis shot a six-over-par 79 and sits in a tie for 29th overall at 24-over-par overall, while Jenni Bluetling posted a third round score of 81 and is at 28-over-par (tied 38th) through three days.

Also competing for NYU were Patty Treevichaphan and Arisa Kimura, who carded third round scores of 84 and 90, respectively. Through three rounds, Treevichaphan sits in a tie for 48th, while Kimura is tied for 51st.