DU’s women’s golf team won its first NCAA Regional Championship Saturday, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Fla., to catapult themselves to their third straight NCAA Championship appearance.

The Pioneers finished Saturday with a one-under-par 279 performance for a three day team total of 22-over-par 862, beating out University of Alabama, in an upset performance, who managed a 26-over-par performance. 

Going into the final day of competition, DU was tied for eighth place.

That was after Dawn Shockley posted three birdies on the front nine and followed with two birdies on the back nine to finish with a score of 66 4-under-par for the day.

Shockley finished 1-under par at 209, in the tournament,  to win her second individual title of the year. 

Shockley set the pace for the Pioneers consistently as she averaged a four round score of 69 in competition.

The Pioneers emphasized their need to go into the NCAA Championships on a hot streak and they have certainly done that, as three of their players finished in the top ten in the regional. 

“This is a great momentum builder for us as we head to nationals,” said head coach Sammie Chergo.

Katie Kempter moved up from 19th place, to a tie for fifth, after she finished Saturday with a 2-under-par 68 that included five birdies.

For the tournament, Kempter finished with a three day total of 4-over par 214.

Senior Stephanie Sherlock remained consistent for the Pioneers as she ended in a tie for eighth place, finishing with a 3-over-par 73 to bring her three day total to a 6-over-par 216.

Sarah Faller and Ellie Givens placed 81st and 85th, respectively.

The NCAA are going to be held at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Md.

The Pioneers will be the No. 1 seed in the championships.

Georgetown University will host the 2009 championships that will run from May 19-22.

Live coverage of the final two rounds of the championships will be available online at www.ncaa.com.