NCAA Women’s Golf: Kent State wins conference tourny for 26th year in a row

By Kent State Athletics

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Kent State women’s golf team continued a historic streak on Tuesday, claiming the program’s 26th consecutive MAC Championship with a dominant 28-stroke victory at Delaware Country Club. The Flashes continue their streak of winning every MAC women’s golf championship since the sport was introduced by the conference in 1999.

Kent State posted an even-par 288 on Tuesday, the best round of the week, to conclude the tournament at 9-over-par. The Flashes finish 28 strokes ahead of runner-up Bowling Green, who posted a 37-over-par 54-hole score.

The Flashes had a trio of freshmen who tied for second place in their MAC Championship debuts, finishing just one stroke behind the individual medalist. Isabella Goyette started her day strong with a 2-under-par front nine before ending her day at even-par. The Medina, Ohio native concluded her first MAC Championship at 3-over-par, leading Kent State alongside two of her teammates for a joint runner-up finish among the 50-golfer field, her best finish of the season.

Aryn Matthews was another freshman who posted an even-par 72 on Tuesday to finish tied for second. The Canadian international fired four birdies in round three en route to a 3-over-par 54-hole finish. Similar to Goyette, Matthews’ runner-up finish is her best of the season and young collegiate career.

The final Kent State freshman to earn MAC Championship runner-up honors was Gracie Larsen. After entering the day at even-par, the Australian native overcame bogey troubles with four birdies on Tuesday to post a 3-over-par 75 and finish tied for second place. Larsen also earns her best finish of the year in what has been a phenomenal freshman season.

Veronika Kedronova posted Kent State’s best score in round three. She was one of just four golfers to record a third-round score under par after firing a 1-under-par 71 on Tuesday. The phenomenal sophomore concludes her second MAC Championship appearance at 4-over-par, finishing in a tie for 6^th place to earn her eighth top-ten finish of the season.

Leon Takagi ensured that all five Flashes finished inside the top eight at the MAC Championship by posting a 1-over-par 73 in round three. The junior and 2024 MAC Championship medalist used three birdies in her final five holes to post a 6-over-par 54-hole score and tie for eighth place, her second-best finish of the season.

With the MAC Championship in the books, the Flashes will now prepare for an NCAA regional. Kent State will learn its regional destination on Wednesday, April 23, with a live selection show hosted on the Golf Channel at 1 p.m.

MAC Championship Results (Final)
1. Kent State: 289-296-288 = 873 (+9)
2. Bowling Green: 296-314-291 = 901 (+37)
3. Eastern Michigan: 301-310-295 = 906 (+42)
4. Northern Illinois: 303-304-305 = 912 (+48)
5. Ball State: 302-316-296 = 914 (+50)
6. Ohio: 301-312-307 = 920 (+56)
T-7. Central Michigan: 305-308-312 = 925 (+61)
T-7. Akron: 302-324-299 = 925 (+61)
9. Toledo: 308-312-308 = 928 (+64)
10. Western Michigan: 313-317-308 = 938 (+74)

Kent State Results (Final)
T-2. Isabella Goyette: 73-74-72 = 219 (+3)
T-2. Aryn Matthews: 73-74-72 = 219 (+3)
T-2. Gracie Larsen: 72-72-75 = 219 (+3)
T-6. Veronika Kedronova: 73-76-71 = 220 (+4)
T-8. Leon Takagi: 71-78-73 (+6)