BROOKSVILLE, Fla. - The Lynn University women's golf team delivered a thrilling final-round push at the 2026 Sunshine State Conference Championship, carding a tournament-best 292 (+4) to finish just one stroke shy of the title at Cabot Citrus Farms. The Fighting Knights placed second overall at 893 (+29), narrowly behind Nova Southeastern (+28), with Amelia Ruiz Topali leading the charge with a runner-up individual finish and Emilia Koskinen turning in the lowest round of the day to highlight a strong all-around performance from the Blue and White.
 
INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT:
2026 Sunshine State Conference Championship Tournament
Lynn Ranking: 2nd out of 10 (+29)
Team Winner: Nova Southeastern (+28)
Individual Winner: Alexandra Remaklus, NSU (E)
Course Details: Cabot Citrus Farms - Roost | Brooksville, Fla. | 6,175 yds | Par 72
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Round 3
- The Fighting Knights turned in their best round of the tournament, firing a 292 (+4) to make a late push for the SSC Championship
- Lynn's final-round surge placed them just one stroke shy of the title, finishing runner-up in a tightly contested battle
- Emilia Koskinen delivered the highlight round of the day, carding a 70 (+2), including a 32 on the front nine, the lowest round by any Lynn player during the tournament
- Amelia Ruiz Topali capped off her outstanding tournament with a steady even-par 72, including a strong 34 on the back nine, securing a runner-up individual finish
- Leelou Girault and Scarlet Weidig each contributed 75 (+3), with Girault closing in 35 on the back nine and Weidig posting a balanced round to keep Lynn in contention
- Vanessa Ramirez added a 78 (+6) to round out the team score
- As a team, Lynn capitalized on scoring opportunities, continuing their strong play on par 5s (4.77 avg, -14 for the tournament) and limiting mistakes down the stretch
- The Blue and White's ability to produce low scores late, including Koskinen's 70, fueled a near comeback in the final round
 
Tournament Outlook
- Lynn posted rounds of 303-298-292 (893, +29) to finish second overall, just one shot behind Nova Southeastern (892) in one of the closest finishes of the season
- The Fighting Knights improved their team score in each round, showcasing consistency and resilience throughout the championship
- Ruiz Topali led Lynn with a runner-up finish at +2 (218), recording 13 birdies (tournament-high) and ranking T-1 in par-3 scoring (2.92, -1)
- Koskinen finished T-5 at +6 (222), totaling 10 birdies and delivering Lynn's lowest round of the event with a final-round 70
- Girault added a consistent performance, finishing T-14 (+12) with 33 pars, among the team leaders
- Weidig finished T-21 (+15) and was a major factor on par 5s, ranking T-2 individually at 4.58 (-5) while also recording 2 eagles (tied for tournament lead)
- Ramirez rounded out the lineup at T-25 (+16), highlighted by a strong second-round 73
- As a team, Lynn excelled in key scoring areas:
            - 1st in total birdies (38), leading the entire field
            - T-1 in eagles (2)
            - 3rd in pars (148)
            - T-2 in par-4 scoring (4.30 avg)
            - T-1 in par-5 scoring (4.77 avg, -14)
- The Fighting Knights combined aggressive scoring (birdies and eagles) with steady play across all three rounds, putting themselves in position to win until the final holes
- Despite narrowly missing the title, Lynn's performance highlighted one of their strongest team showings of the season, with multiple top finishes and elite scoring across the board
 
UP NEXT:
The Fighting Knights will now prepare for the NCAA South Region Championship in just a few weeks taking place in Cleveland, Tenn. from May 4-6.