HISTORY: Women’s Golf Advances to NCAA Championships

Wednesday, May 13

Louisville Golf Club – Simpsonville, Ky.

University of Houston

NCAA Simpsonville Regional

HISTORY: Women’s Golf Advances to NCAA Championships

5/13/2026 1:00:00 PM | Women's Golf

Live Scoring Watch (Babygrande Golf)Louisville Golf Club

#30 Cougars finish second at NCAA Simpsonville Regional at Louisville Golf Club on Wednesday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the first time in school history, the University of Houston Women's Golf program will compete as a team at the NCAA Championships.

The 30^th-ranked Cougars posted a Final-Round team score of 296 and finished second with a total of 11-under 853 at the three-day, 54-hole NCAA Simpsonville Regional at Louisville Golf Club on Wednesday afternoon.

As one of the Top-Five teams, the Cougars punched their ticket to the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history.

Houston was represented at four previous NCAA Championships with current senior Moa Svedenskiöld (2025), Karen Fredgaard (2021) and Leonie Harm (2018, 2016) qualifying as individuals.

On Wednesday, the Cougars qualified as a group for the first time under Carolyn Macow Leatherwood Head Coach Lydia Lasprilla, who is in her fifth season at the head of the program.

Senior Natalie Saint Germain posted the team's low score of the day with an even-par 72 on the 6,384-yard course. The Prague native drained back-to-back birdies at Nos. 3-4 and finished fourth with a score of 7-under 209.

Playing in her four straight NCAA Regional, senior Alexa Saldana tied for 13^th at 2-under 214 and was joined by junior Maelynn Kim, who was playing in her third straight NCAA postseason event. Senior Moa Svedenskiöld – also playing in her fourth consecutive NCAA Regional – tied for 34^th at 218 while sophomore Emilia Väistö, who made her NCAA debut, tied for 41^st at 222.

#7 (2 seed) Auburn won the team championship with a score of 847. Houston was joined in the Top Five team leaders by #6 (1) Arkansas (854), #18 (3) Iowa State (855) and #19 (4) Mississippi (855).

HOUSTON in NCAA REGIONALS HISTORY
As a team, Houston has competed in NCAA Regional play dating back to the 2015 season with team appearances in nine of the last 10 years. The Cougars have been represented in each of the last 10 NCAA Regionals with Annie Kim competing as an individual at the 2022 NCAA Franklin Regional in Tennessee.

A year ago, the Cougars competed as the No. 5 seed on the Scarlet Course at the NCAA Columbus Regional and tied finished fifth on May 5-7, 2025. Houston finished five strokes shy of finishing among the Top-Five team leaders and advancing to the NCAA Championship for the first time in school history.

Svedenskiöld posted three straight rounds or par or lower and advanced to the NCAA Championships for the first time in her career and finishing as the top individual not on a qualifying team with a score of 2-under 214. She joined All-Americans Karen Fredgaard (2021) and Leonie Harm (2018, 2016) as the only Cougars in school history to compete at the NCAA Championships.

Saint Germain, Saldaña and Svedenskiöld are competing in the fourth NCAA Regional of their award-winning careers while Kim made her third straight appearance in the NCAA postseason.

UP NEXT
For the first time in school history, Houston will compete as a team at the NCAA Championships, set for May 22-27 at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women's Golf by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the P.A.R. 4 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Women's Golf for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWGolf on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWGolf or on the team's Instagram page at UHCougarWGolf.

MORE TO COME SOON

– UHCougars.com –