BEAUMONT, CA--The Winthrop women's golf team opened the 2008 spring season with a third place finish out of 16 schools in the Lady Braveheart Challenge which was played at Oak Valley Golf Club.

Winthrop fired a 36-hole total of 652 (325-327) to finish behind team champion Cal Poly and second place San Diego State. Winthrop's final score was 23 shots behind Cal Poly and just seven shots below San Diego State.

Freshman Allison Itria (Lubbock, TX) led the Lady Eagles with a 36-hole total of 157 (80-77) and finished sixth out of 101 players. Senior Jutta Degerman (Finland) tied for 17th at 162 (80-82). Junior Sara Hester (Ft. Mill, SC) tied for 34th after shooting 166 (81-85) while sophomore Rachel Smith (Mansfield, TX) tied for 37th one shot further back at 167 (84-83).  Rounding out Winthrop's scoring was Erin Sweeney in 62nd place (174) and junior Brittany Dabule, 79th (180).

The Winthrop women's team will return to action March 2-4 at the USA Lady Jaguar Invitational in Mobile, AL.