CHARLESTON, S.C. – North Carolina A&T women's golf returned in a big way on Monday. After four months away from collegiate competition, the Aggies played the first day of the Oyster Shuck Match Play hosted by The Citadel at the City of Charleston Municipal Golf Course.
The Aggies went 1-1 with an opening-round loss to the Appalachian State Mountaineers before beating the Coastal Georgia Mariners in a second-round consolation matchup.
Match play is different than the stroke play game the Aggies usually play. In match play, two players are playing against each other, with each trying to score the lowest on individual holes. A player will either win, lose or tie a hole in match play. If you tie a hole, you halve a hole.
App State defeated the Aggies 3.0-2.0 behind Layla Meric, Hannah Wang, and Sarah Hardin wins. The Aggies two wins came from senior Christyn Carr and freshman Vileska Gelpi. Carr was ahead by five holes with only four holes to play to give her a 5&4 victory over Meghan Mitchell.
"I stayed really steady in my first match," said Carr. "The wind was pretty strong, so I stayed patient and focused on hitting greens."
Gelpi had a three-hole lead with only two to play to defeat Mary Sears Brown, 3&2. Later in the day, Graduate Isabela Maravite and junior Jayla Rogers earned victories after losing earlier in the day to Mountaineer opponents.
The Aggies defeated the Mariners 4.5-0.5. A&T junior Kiaira Porter's match against Emily Bickelmann was all-square.
Maravite led by five holes over Emma Day to win 5&4 Rogers knocked off Kelly Buker as she was seven holes ahead with five remaining for a 7&5 win. Carr and Gelpi finished 2-0 on Monday with their respective wins. Gelpi defeated Kristen Crooms 2UP, and Carr secured a 7&5 victory over Madison Melton.
"I was able to come out with the win in the morning and afternoon match, so I am really happy," said Carr. "Now, I am focused on keeping the same game plan for our final round tomorrow."
The Aggies will battle for fifth place on Tuesday against fellow Big South Conference school Presbyterian.
Oyster Shuck Match Play
Opening Round
Appalachian State def North Carolina A&T, 3.0-2.0
Christyn Carr (NCAT) def Meghan Mitchell (APP), 5&4
Layla Meric (APP) def Isabela Miravite (NCAT), 3&2
Hannah Wang (APP) def Kiaira Porter (NCAT), 9&8
Vileska Gelpi (NCAT) def Mary Sears Brown (APP), 3&2
Sarah Hardin (APP) def Jayla Rogers (NCAT), 4&3
Consolation
North Carolina A&T def Coastal Georgia, 4.5-0.5
Christyn Carr (NCAT) def Madison Melton (CG), 7&5
Isabela Maravite (NCAT) def Emma Day (CG), 5&4
Jayla Rogers (NCAT) def Kelly Buker (CG), 7&5
Vileska Gelpi (NCAT) def Kristen Crooms (CG), 2UP
Kiaira Porter (NCAT) vs Emily Bickelmann (CG), AS
