ROME, N.Y. – The Union College women's golf team shaved 10 strokes off its score and moved up one spot on the leaderboard on Sunday to finish fifth out of eight teams at the Hamilton Women's Invitational, held on Saturday and Sunday at Rome Country Club.
 
The Garnet Chargers shot a 343 on Sunday to overtake SUNY Cortland (703) and finish fifth in the competitive field. WGCA #18 Hamilton College took first place with a two-day score of 609, good for an 18-stroke win over Ithaca College.
 
Sophomore Iyene Essien did not finish atop the individual leaderboard for the first time all season, but still posted another top-five finish out of 51 golfers. She carded a 78 on Sunday to finish the weekend in a tie for fourth place at 153, tying her for fifth on the school two-day scoring ledger and already giving her eight of the top-10 spots on that list. On the weekend, the sophomore recorded a course-best seven birdies and played the par-threes at a combined two-under par, tops on the field.
 
Senior Shea White took four strokes off of yesterday's score with a round of 84 on Sunday to finish in 29th place at 172, carding 11 pars on the day as part of a steady round that featured only three rough holes.
 
Sophomore Carinna Anastasio went from the 90s to the 80s on Sunday, posting a round of 89 to move up one spot into 36th place at 184, while first-year Emma Doherty came in right behind in 37th place with a two-day score of 187 after a round of 92 on day two. Classmate Claire Giletta shot a second straight round of 97 to finish in a tie for 42nd place, followed by sophomore Ella Golas (197) and senior Delaney Fox (200).
 
Union will close out the fall season next weekend, taking part in UAlbany's Great Danes Invitational on Sunday and Monday at Normanside Country Club in Delmar.