Opening the tournament with a 1-over 73, Lillie was tied for fourth and only four strokes behind the 18-hole leader Alexis Florio (Columbia University).
Figuring out a gameplan through trial and error, Lillie rebounded well. Very well.
Posting a second-round 69, Lillie rocketed to the top of the leaderboard as one of two sub-70 rounds on the day while the rest of the field slid giving her a two-stroke cushion heading into the final round.
Playing with Virginia Tech’s Becca DiNunzio and James Madison’s Ana Tsiros, Lillie treated the final round like it was match play.
“I knew where I was at, I knew what I had to do so it honestly took the pressure off because you’re not guessing,” said Lillie.
Making an eagle on the par-5 third, Lillie was contested on the front nine as DiNunzio racked up three-straight birdies to begin the day. Carding a bogey-free back nine, Lillie secured the win by six shots.
With a win under her belt, Lillie is looking forward to heading back home to California to compete in the Southern California Amateur before getting back with her teammates as the fall season approaches.
“I think we’ll be in good shape next season,” Lillie said. “I know we’re all really looking forward to competing together and be together again… I think that’ll carry over to the course.”