ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Denver golf team found its rhythm on Friday, knocking off Power-5 schools Iowa and No. 21 Alabama in match play at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic. The Pioneers went 2-0 on the day in the Black bracket.
 
The tournament, being hosted by No. 39 Georgia, is being played at the University of Georgia Golf Course.
 
Head coach Lindsay Kuhle went with the lineup of Mary Weinstein, Sophie Newlove, Camille Enright, Alyson Bean and Trussy Li.
 
"It was a great day to be a Pio," Kuhle said. "We played well in both of our matches and Sophie, Mary and Aly really stepped up when they needed to.
 
"The thing about this group is that they are all playing great golf and confident, but most importantly, they're playing Denver golf. They are trusting and believing and playing for each other."
 
DU got the afternoon going with a commanding win over Iowa in the first matchup of the afternoon, knocking off the Hawkeyes 5-0 to start match play. The Crimson and Gold had its game on point, getting big performances by Weinstein, Newlove and Enright, who all produced wins of 6 & 5 against their Iowa counterparts.
 
"Camille is confident, putting well and playing extremely well right now," Kuhle said.
 
Denver then met up with No. 21 Alabama, who they recorded a head-to-head win against in stroke play just 24 hours earlier. The Pioneers took down the Crimson Tide 3-2 behind a trio great performances from Weinstein (1 up), Newlove (1 up) and Bean (4 & 2). Weinstein's matchup was against sixth-ranked Jiwon Jean, who finished fifth overall on the individual leaderboard in stroke play just a day earlier.
 
"Mary is hitting it so well and her last game looks the best it's looked," Kuhle said. "Beating Jiwon, who is the sixth-ranked player in the country right now, shows where Mary's game is at and how much she has improved.
 
"Sophie was stellar for us as a well, going 2-under in her first match and she won the last three holes to win one up in the afternoon, which we really needed. Alyson has never looked better with her ball-striking and confidence. This is the time of year when you want to be striking the ball well, rolling it well and confident that you can win and make a lot of birdies. Our team did just that today. Mikayla [Tatman] and I couldn't be more proud.
 
"I am so happy with how hard we have worked," Kuhle added. "We have worked on so much and it is showing by how much confidence this group has shown together."
 
Final-day action is set for Saturday with a match against Daytona State College.
 
Scoring for match play can be found right HERE.
 
"Tomorrow will be another exciting day, and with the win, get us the solo victory in the Black bracket," Kuhle said. "We've played Alabama four times at this event in match play and it has always been so close, but this time we did and had two Power-5 wins today!"
 
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