Ducks Fall to WSU in Sudden Death Playoff

Tuesday, February 6

Las Vegas, NV

TBD

University of Oregon

Washington State

02/06/18 | Women's Golf

The Ducks were unable to protect a 2-1 lead against Washington State on Tuesday, falling to the Cougars in a sudden death playoff

By: Hannah Krulevitch

LAS VEGAS – The Oregon women's golf team was unable to protect a 2-1 lead against Washington State on Tuesday, falling to the Cougars in a sudden death playoff to wrap up the two-day event at the Las Vegas Country Club.

The Cougars won three out of five singles matches on Tuesday to pull the overall score even, 4-4, and then edged out the Ducks in the first playoff hole.

How it Happened: Strong efforts from Kathleen Scavo and Alexis Phadungmartvorakul were not enough to carry the Ducks to victory in Las Vegas.

Scavo earned a point for the Ducks for the second day in a row, coming out on top of her singles match, 3 and 2.

Phadungmartvorakul's match came down to the wire, but the freshman had a level demeanor throughout to come out with the win, 1 up. Phadungmartvorakul's opponent was down by four through eight holes and fought back to pull all square through No. 17. On No. 18, Phadungmartvorakul carded a birdie to give Oregon its second point of the day.

Amy Matsuoka dropped a close one, losing 1 down to her opponent. Both Madi Daniel and Petra Salko lost 3 and 2 to their WSU counterparts, giving the Cougars two points to tie the match, 4-4, and send it to a sudden death playoff.

At the first playoff hole, Washington State made four pars and one bogey while the Ducks made three pars and two bogeys, giving the Cougs the win at the wire.

Quotable: Ria Scott, Head Coach
On the match's outcome...
"Match play losses always sting – since there's always a clear winner and loser. Hats off to WSU, they played really well."

On the importance of this match early in the season...
"Without a doubt, we got some great competitive experience this week. As much as college coaches try and replicate competition at home; it's just not the same. That's why a preseason match like this is so valuable for us. This week was also great in assessing where we are in our games, and what we need to do before we leave for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in a week and a half.

On Phadungmartvorakul...
"Alexis hit some incredibly clutch shots coming down the stretch. She made up and down for par from the bunker on her 16th hole, up and down for par from 45 yards on her 12th, hit the green in two and two-putted for birdie to clinch the match on 18."

On Daniel...
"I know Madi's match result didn't show it – but she had a great day on the course today. She was fighting until the very end, but not 'over-trying' out there. We are really proud of the adjustments she was able to make – both physically and mentally – over the past two days."

What it Means: Traveling to Las Vegas was a great opportunity to give the Ducks – especially the freshmen - a chance to play in a head-to-head match play early in the season. Oregon will look to build off this experience and continue to improve moving forward.

Up Next: Oregon will travel to New Orleans, La. for the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Hosted by Tulane University at the English Turn Golf and Country Club, the three-day tournament will run from Sunday, Feb. 18 to Tuesday, Feb. 20.