CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The University of North Georgia women's golf team clawed its way back towards the top of the leaderboard in the final round of The City With Spirit Fall Classic Tuesday morning. UNG finished in fourth-place in the tournament at 44-over-par as a team. Host and Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) No. 12 Lee came in third ahead of the Nighthawks. No. 5 Anderson came in second while No. 18 Wingate won the event at eight-over-par. 

UNG. who started play on Tuesday in seventh place, rode the impressive final-day performances of its top three scorers to secure the top-4 finish. 

Junior transfer Cora Mount posted a two-over 74 in her final round of her debut in a Nighthawk uniform. Mount posted a pair of rounds at 74 which were bridged in the middle by an eight-over 80 in round two of the tournament. She finished at T-20. 

Another newcomer, freshman Ellie Jane Riner, had an impressive day Tuesday. Riner utilized birdies on the final hole of each nine to combat three bogeys and finish the day with a one-over 73. Riner showed improvement in every round in the first tournament of her career, going from a five-over 77 in the opener, to a three-over 75 in round two before the solid play to close out her first collegiate event. Riner finished the tournament at T-14 at nine-over-par.

The most impressive performance Tuesday came from another Ellie. Senior Ellie Rippee torched Cleveland Country Club Tuesday, posting five birdies and one bogey for a four-under 68 on the final day. The round ties Rippee's career best mark and was the second-lowest round of the entire tournament. It also is tied for the third-best individual, 18-hole round in UNG women's golf history. 

Rippee started the day strong and rode her momentum to the finish line. She birdied four of her first six holes which included a three-of-four stretch with birdies at the par-4 8th, par-5 10th and par-4 11th holes. She gained another two strokes at 13 and 18, helping her to the 68. Rippee ultimately finished at T-7 and five-over for the tournament. 

Other notable Nighthawks in the event included senior Jadin Ware who competed as an individual and went 16-over for a top-30 finish in 28th place. Sophomore Abby Franks shot a seven-over 79 on Tuesday to end the tournament in 33rd place while senior Lainey Panter finished at T-65. 

With the result in Cleveland, head coach Sierra Campbell's program has now finished fourth or better in five of the last six tournaments. Next on the docket for UNG is the Savannah Lakes Fall Invitational hosted by No. 19 Lander on Monday, Sep. 23 in McCormick, S.C.