The Saddleback women's golf team took over first place in the Orange Empire Conference standings on Wednesday with a round of 347 at Alta Vista Country Club in Placentia. The Gauchos are now two wins ahead of Irvine Valley in the standings.
Saddleback freshman Mekenzie Purcell fired a 3-over-par round of 75 to earn medalist honors. She finished three shots in front of Irvine Valley's Araceli Esquivel (78) and five shots ahead of Marisa Bhanubandh (80). Purcell's round featured two birdies and 11 pars on the 5,523-yard layout.
Saddleback also received 90's from both Ericka Vladovich and Brooke Yafckli while Deanna Pagaduan shot 92 to pace the Gauchos to their second-best score of the year. Orange Coast finished second on the day and had three players post scores in the 80's with Calyn Hockerson (84), Lina You (86), and September Mirghanbari (86). Irvine Valley slipped to third.
All five teams will play again on Wednesday, October 19, when they travel to the Oak Creek Golf Club in a conference match hosted by Irvine Valley.
Team Results
Saddleback 347
Orange Coast 352
Irvine Valley 360
Mt. San Antonio 368
Fullerton 384
Individual Leaderboard
Mekenzie Purcell (Saddleback) 75
Araceli Esquivel (Irvine Valley) 78
Marisa Bhanubandh (Irvine Valley) 80
Gwen Bates (Fullerton) 82