PULLMAN, Wash. – After two rounds, the University of San Francisco women's golf team is firmly in the hunt at the WSU Cougar Cup hosted by Washington State at the par-72 Palouse Ridge Golf Club.  The Dons finished the with a 3-over 579 (288-291).
 
Rain over the final three holes on the second round couldn't dampen the Dons' spirits.  USF had two players finish in the top-30 with Annika Borrelli finishing tied for ninth.  Fellow sophomore Jade Siphomsay finished tied at 28^th. As a team, USF sits in seventh, one shot ahead of Colorado.  They also lead WCC rivals BYU (10^th), Pepperdine (T-11^th), and Gonzaga (13^th).  
 
"Today was tremendously exciting to see the team stay right in it with some of the best teams in the nation," said head coach Sara Doell. "I'm really proud of their effort and although we had a tough finish to the second round, we showed that we can compete!"
 
After two rounds, Borrelli sits in a tie for ninth with two other players, after carding a 3-under 141 (69-72).  The native of Alamo, Calif., opened the tournament with a 3-under 69 in the opening round.  It is her first round under par this year and seventh so far in her young career.  Borrelli recorded five birdies in the first round, three in the first nine holes.  In the second round, she carded two more birdies one on the front and another on the back to finish even par. 
 
"I'm really pleased with how I opened with a strong start in the first round and shot three under par – it ties my best round in college golf!" said Borrelli. "To follow that up with even par in the second round, especially as conditions got tough and it rained the last couple holes, was also huge. I'm looking forward to seeing how the team finishes tomorrow!"
 
Siphomsay finished the day tied for 28^th after finishing with a 2-over 146 (73-73).  She has opened the fall playing her best golf as a Don.  Her strong outing began with six pars before she eagled the par-5 17^th.  She finished the day with three birdies and an eagle.
 
"I'm really proud that I shot 73–73 today, which ties my collegiate best of 73 which I shot last week," said Siphomsay. "I'm pumped about the strong start to the year for both myself and the team. I would say the highlight of the day was when I holed out from 50 yards on hole number 17 in the first round. That was fun!"
 
Pearl Rojanapeansatith and Joan Soewondo finished tied for 42^nd.  Rojanapeansatith recorded a 4-over 148 (74-74), while Soewondo carded a 4-over 148 (72-76).  Soewondo tallied a team-high nine birdies on the day, which is tied for second most in the tournament.
 
Samantha Gong finished tied for 53^rd with a 6-over 150 (78-72).
 
Oregon State is the leader after the opening day, after finishing with a 13-under 563 (278-285).  The Beavers' Ellie Slama and Issy Taylor are the co-leaders after shooting dual 6-under 138s.
 
The tournament will resume tomorrow morning with the Dons slated to tee off at 7:45 a.m.