BOCA RATON, Fla. (February 8, 2022) – The Loyola University Chicago women's golf team set a new 54-hole program record for team score as it closed out a banner two days at the FAU Paradise Invitational in Boca Raton, Fla. today.
 
After turning in a final-round 305, Loyola, which placed 14^th, closed the event with a team tally of 889 (291-293-305).  That mark shatters the previous 54-hole program best of 910 that was set at last season's Spring Break Shootout.
 
Florida (278-280-277=835) laid claim to the team title, while Mississippi State's Julia Lopez Ramirez shot a three-under-par 69 today to secure individual medalist honors with a 16-under-par 200 (64-67-69).
 
"What a fun and amazing week to kick off our spring season with Abby (Thielbar) setting a new individual program record and our team setting a new 54-hole tournament record," Loyola head women's golf coach Carly Werwie stated.  "This field is the best we will see all year with numerous teams ranked inside the top 50, which could make for some nervous feelings, but we handled it so well.  Our team put in a lot of good work over winter break and in our practices leading up to this tournament.  Everyone had a great mindset throughout and you could see that they were having fun out there, a goal that we were striving for each day."
 
Following an opening day of play that saw her break the 18-hole program record, sophomore Abby Thielbar further entrenched herself in the Rambler record books today.  The Zionsville, Ind. native turned in a four-over-par 76 to wrap up the 54-hole event with a one-under-par 215 (66-73-76), breaking her previous school record of 217, also achieved at the Spring Break Shootout in 2021, by two strokes.  Thielbar finished as part of a tie for 21^st place.
 
Freshman Grace Suter turned in the low round of the final day for the Maroon & Gold.  The Oconomowoc, Wis. product racked up a team-high four birdies, three of which came as part of a two-under-par back nine, as she closed the day with a career-best two-under-par 70.  Suter's effort saw her climb into a tie for 40^th with a three-over-par 219, the third lowest individual 54-hole total in program history.
 
Fellow freshman Jolie Brochu handed in a 79 today to bring her score to 234 (75-80-79), tying for 76^th, while junior Caroline Dayton shared 71^st at 231 (75-76-80) following a final-round 80.  Senior Lorenza Martinez, who tied her 18-hole career-low with a second-round two-under-par 70, closed play with an 81 to claim 74^th with a 232 (81-70-81). 
 
"Abby's first round of 66 was exciting and so enjoyable to watch," Werwie continued.  "She's really done a great job with various areas in her golf game to stay near red numbers in all her rounds.  Lorenza also had red numbers in her second round and it was great to see her make a comeback after a rocky start.  Grace was another player we had in red numbers for our final round.  Seeing her finish strong was a fun moment.  Our play was a true team effort from the support everyone showed each other on and off the course this week.  We were trying for all three rounds under 300, but it's hard to be upset with the final round after so much good happened for the entirety of the tournament.  We'll work out a few things before our next event, but, overall, we have come such a long way and I couldn't be more excited to see what we can accomplish next.  Hopefully that means breaking another record!"
 
Loyola looks to keep momentum rolling in just over two weeks at the Rio Verde Invitational in Rio Verde, Ariz., February 25-27.