The Minnesota women’s golf team has opened its spring season the past three years at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic against one of the toughest fields in college golf.

With 14 of 18 teams in the field ranked in the Golfweek Top 50, the Gophers realized quickly how they stacked up against the nation’s best.

Minnesota limped to a last place finish and a three day total of 956.

The Gophers’ top finisher was freshman Teresa Puga of A Coruña, Spain. In her collegiate debut, she carded rounds of 79, 77 and 80 for a 73rd place finish.

Puga has extensive international experience and a number of high finishes in major Spanish amateur events, and because of her success director of golf Brad James expects more from her in the near future.

“She’s a very established player and those scores weren’t her best,” he said.

Jumping into such a tough tournament after four months off is never easy, however, as only junior Paige Bromen improved on her fall stroke average.

And it’s individual improvement that James really looks for.

“Whether we finish first or the team finishes last, what I’m looking for is five players to try and win that individual crown,” he said.

Marvin named finalist

For the first time since 2004-2005, the Minnesota women’s hockey team has a player up for the most prestigious individual award in NCAA women’s hockey.

Junior forward Gigi Marvin has been named a top-10 finalist by USA Hockey for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey.

Marvin leads the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in overall points, assists and power-play points. She also is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and has an exemplary grade point average of 3.731.

The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner is selected on the basis of individual and team accomplishments, clutch play, sportsmanship, character and a love of hockey.

The winner will be announced at a banquet March 21 during the NCAA Frozen Four in Duluth.