Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University women's golf team wrapped up its third tournament of the 2025 fall season Tuesday, finishing fifth out of 10 teams in Westmont, Pa., at the Red Flash Invitational. The Dukes carded a 620 (319-301) at Sunnehanna Country Club, posting their best score in the program's short two-year history in a 36-hole event.
 
TEAM LEADERBOARD
Bucknell earned the team title Tuesday by finishing at 599 (302, 297) and holding off a late charge from Howard. The Bison posted the best 18 of the tournament Tuesday with a 291, finishing nine strokes back of their namesake at 608 (317, 291). Towson (614) finished third, followed by Purdue Fort Wayne (615) and Duquesne. Rounding out the field was the host, Saint Francis, at 637, followed by Mount St. Mary's (639), Mercyhurst (647) and fellow Atlantic 10 competitors Saint Joseph's (672) and La Salle (687).
 
TO THE PLAYOFF!
An exciting final round of action Tuesday saw sophomore Sasha Petrochko force a playoff as she tried to defend her individual crown in the event from last season. At hole No. 2, a 400-yard par five, Petrochko earned one of her seven birdies of the tournament and would finish her round by carding par on a pair of holes that were par four, including 365 yards at No. 3 and 363 yards and No. 4. Victoriah Kuranga of Towson, who opened play Tuesday on the first hole, posted a bogey on each of her final two holes, forcing the playoff for medalist honors. Kuranga regrouped, earning the individual championship on the third playoff hole. Petrochko finished with a 74 in each round at the Red Flash Invitational, matching her 36-hole score of 148 (+4) that she also posted in the event last season.
 
SETTLING IN
A solid day up-and-down the lineup for Duquesne saw freshman Lilly Powell match the 74 from Petrochko in the second round. Overall, Powell would close at 153 (+9) to finish in a tie for eighth individually with four other golfers. Also carding a 153 was Emily Gottman and Lara Dommach, each of Purdue Fort Wayne, Kanchana Kanchanaphiboon of Towson and Sophia Bardunias of Bucknell. Sophomore Katie Caryl, meanwhile, shaved nine strokes off her score in the opening round to finish with a 75 Tuesday and close at 159, which tied for 25th individually with Laniah Moffett of Howard, Mariana Forero of Saint Joseph's and Payton Balliet of Towson.
 
THE LINEUP
Sophomore Abby Slankster opened the Red Flash Invitational with an 83 Monday but closed at 78 Tuesday to finish at 161, while senior Lindsey Powanda handed in a 162 (83, 79) over the two days of the tournament. Playing as an individual, sophomore Paige Meyers finished a stroke behind Powanda at 163 (83, 80), sophomore Katie Fodale closed at 170 (86, 84) and freshman Ashley von Behren handed in a 172 (87, 85).
 
PINS & GREENS
In 11 career tournaments at the NCAA level, Petrochko owns eight finishes in the top 10, including four in the top five after closing as runner-up in the playoff Tuesday, and one medalist accolade … Petrochko led the field in birdies (7), two ahead of seven other student-athletes … Powell excelled at the long game at the Red Flash Invitational, averaging 4.80 strokes (-2) on a par five to tie for third among competitors and behind Horrell and Moffett, who averaged 4.70 (-3) … Powell also recorded the best tournament for Duquesne on a par three with an average of 3.20 strokes (+2) as well as for the number of holes recording par (22) … As a team the Dukes finished second in the tournament in birdies (17) and were the only team to finish under on a par five, averaging 4.96 strokes (-2).
 
UP NEXT
The first action in almost a month complete, Duquesne wastes no time getting back on the links. The Dukes conclude the fall portion of their 2025 slate with the Lehigh Invitational, which is slated for Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26, in Bedminster, N.J.
 
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