Two conference matches this week separated the field in women's golf, helping Palomar's playoff hopes and hurting Mt. San Antonio's hopes with just one match remaining before the conference championship.
College of the Desert remained unbeaten, posting a team score of 314 on the Costa Mesa Country Club's Mesa Linda course on Monday to outpace runner-up Irvine Valley (345). There was a tie for third place between Palomar and Fullerton, each posting 347's to finish two strokes behind IVC. The fifth golfer for each team was used to break the tie with Palomar edging out Fullerton, 96-98. Saddleback was three strokes back at 350.
Fumika Matsumoto of Desert and Leleaga Meredith (pictured) of Irvine Valley each posted 2-over-par rounds of 72 to share medalist honors. Samantha Stewart added a 77 for Desert.
On Wednesday, Desert again posted a team score of 314 as it captured the team title on the Twin Oaks course. Irvine Valley finished second at 321 with Palomar third (338) and Saddleback fourth (345) with Fullerton five strokes back (350). Meredith shot an even-par round of 72 to share medalist honors with teammate Cindy Dang.
Desert increased its lead in the conference standings with 72 wins while Irvine Valley remains solidly in second with 57 wins and Fullerton in third place with 51 wins. Palomar moved into fourth place alone with 43 wins while Saddleback and Mt. San Antonio share fifth place at 35 wins.
The teams will have a neutral-site conference match at Woods Valley Golf Course on Monday (Oct. 27) before the Orange Empire Conference championship is played on the same Woods Valley course on November 3 and 5.