Stanford upset top-seeded USC, 3-2, in the match-play semifinals and will play Baylor in the final of the NCAA Women’s National Championship at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla.
Casey Danielson, a sophomore from Osceola, Wis., scored the winning point for the Cardinal in the semifinals against the Trojans after doing the same in a 4-1 quarterfinal victory over Arizona earlier in the day.
Danielson jumped to a 4-up lead over Kyung Kim of USC after six holes and held on for a 2-and-1 victory, after beating Wanasa Zhou of Arizona on the 20th hole.
Lauren Kim, a junior from Los Altos, and Shannon Aubert, a freshman from Stuart, Fla., also went 2-0 for Stanford.
Kim defeated Gabriella Then of USC, 4 and 3, and downed Kendall Prince of Arizona, 2 and 1, while Aubert beat 2013 national champion Annie Park of USC, 4 and 2, and got past Krystal Quihuis of Arizona, 1 up.
Mariah Stackhouse, a junior from Riverdale, Ga., posted a 1-1 record for the Cardinal.
“We’ve done a great job of staying in the present, and tomorrow we’ll come out and stay the same way,” said Coach Anne Walker, whose team will be seeking Stanford’s first NCAA women’s golf title. “We’ve had a really game plan for this golf course. We have that experience, we have it under our belt and we know if we stick with our plan, that’s the best we can do.”
Baylor surprised second-seeded and defending champion Duke, 3-2, after beating Tennessee, 3-1-1, in the quarterfinals.
USC reached the semifinals with a 3-2 victory over Washington.
