SALEM, Ore. –  Linfield women's golf made their season debut over the weekend, earning a third-place finish at the Bearcat Invitational, completing the two-day tournament Sunday at Salem Golf Club. The Wildcat's second round total of 330 marked the lowest 18-hole team score and lowest 36-hole team total (663) in program history.

The Wildcats improved by three strokes in the final round, following an opening-round 333 (+45) with a 330 (+42). Linfield finished behind tournament champion Whitworth (+47) and Pacific (+70) in the six-team field.

Two Wildcats made their collegiate debut in the Wildcats roster, Ashlyn Yorimoto and Lucy Ugaldea.

Ashlyn Yorimoto led the Wildcats throughout the weekend, finishing third individually at 12-over par. Yorimoto opened with a 4-over 76, highlighted by a birdie on the par-4 fifth and another on the par-5 18th. She followed with an 8-over 80 on Sunday, recording a birdie on the par-3 15th and playing the back nine in 3-over 39.

Addison Nations tied for 17th at 24-over after rounds of 84 and 84. Nations started her tournament with a birdie on the par-4 second hole before adding another at the par-3 eighth. In the final round, she recorded a birdie on the par-3 15th.

Sophia Hamilton finished 19th at 25-over, improving by three strokes between rounds with scores of 86 and 83. Hamilton recorded a birdie on the par-3 sixth during Saturday's opening round. She added a pair of birdies Sunday, taking advantage of the par-3 sixth again before making another at the par-3 15th.

Lucy Ugaldea tied for 20th at 26-over after rounds of 87 and 83. Ugaldea's opening round included birdies at the par-5 ninth and par-5 14th. She shaved four strokes off her score Sunday and closed her tournament with a birdie on the par-5 18th.

Breleigh Garcia rounded out the Linfield lineup, placing 25th at 30-over. Garcia carded an 87 in Saturday's first round before matching that score with another 87 Sunday. Her opening round featured a birdie on the par-4 fourth, while her final round included several pars as she completed the two-day tournament at 174.

Four additional Wildcats competed as individuals, led by Kara Heater, who finished at 33-over after rounds of 93 and 84. Heater improved by nine strokes in the final round, playing her last four holes at even par. Sara Pate finished at 39-over with rounds of 92 and 91, highlighted by an even-par stretch on holes 12 and 13 during her final round. Ainsley Kelley carded rounds of 93 and 95 to finish at 44-over, recording pars on the opening hole and No. 12 in Round 1 and adding pars at Nos. 15 and 18 in Round 2.

Leiana Champaco rounded out Linfield's individual competitors at 75-over, following an opening-round 113 with a seven-stroke improvement to 106 in the final round.

The 'Cats are back in just over one week, heading to Tacoma, Washington, to compete in the PLU Invite at the Home Course, starting on Monday, September 28.
 
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