SAN ANTONIO – The No. 3-ranked UIndy women's golf team (306) battled a tough field and tough conditions at the abbreviated St. Mary's Rattler Invitational Monday and Tuesday. Led by medalist Pilar Echeverria (70), the Greyhounds opened their spring schedule with a runner-up finish at the event, which was trimmed from 54 to 18 holes due to cold weather and frost delays.
 
The field featured 15 teams in all, including five ranked in Division II's top 12, according to the trusted Golfstat.com. Top-ranked Dallas Baptist (304) took the team title by two strokes, while No. 7 West Texas A&M matched the Hounds' 18-hole total of 306.
 
"We didn't play well at all and can't give shots away to great teams like we did this week," said Head Coach Brent Nicoson. "It was a very strange tournament in tough conditions, and we simply didn't have what it takes to be an elite team. We have a ton of work to do."
 
Junior and two-time All-American Pilar Echeverria fired a two-under 70 to best the field by three strokes.  The effort netted the Guatemala native her a third individual medal in six events this season.
 
Nicoson added: "I'm very pleased with Pilar, winning in a great field while playing a little injured and trying to make the Palmer Cup team is not easy.  She played very well and I couldn't be more proud of her."
 
Senior Katharina Keilich finished in the top 10, with her four-over 76 good for a share of seventh. Senior Kennedy Holtsclaw (79) tied for 25th, freshman Cailyn Henderson (81) shared 37th and sophomore Anna Kramer (82) tied for 45th.
 
UP NEXT
UIndy heads even farther west for its next event. The Hounds will head to Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista, Calif., for the Fujikura Invitational March 11-12. The tournament is hosted by 13th-ranked Cal State San Marcos.