HILTON HEAD, S.C. – The Coastal Carolina's women's golf team defeated Florida International 3 ½ - 2 ½ in the championship match at the Battle at Old South on Sunday afternoon on the Old South Golf Links.
 
The championship match, which was played in wind and rain all day long, came down to the final match as CCU's Nicole Abelar finished off the Chants' run by winning her match 1-up on the 18th hole in the final match of the day.
 
The freshman from Metro Manila, Philippines finished off an outstanding weekend in which she finished second overall in Friday's opening day of action with a two-over 74.
 
It was a day that did not start out as well as head coach Katie Quinney had hoped, but the weather conditions played a role in the day's competition.
 
"I was extremely proud of how the team played," Quinney said. "They fought through some early adversity and also fought through the weather conditions and just stayed the course. It was a tough day and the ladies fought through it for the championship."
 
CCU had to come from behind for the win and Maika Llarena halved her match to help the cause. Caitlin Evans-Brand won her match 2 & 1 and Heidrun Hlynsdottir picked up a 5 & 4 win in her match to set up the finale with Abelar's last-hole heroics.
 
"This was a total team effort," Quinney added. "To pick up the second seed on the first day of the tournament and then to win a close match in Saturday's match play just to make it to Sunday and then how the team responded today was just an exciting way to get the spring started."
 
The Chants will be back in action Feb. 14-16 at the Moon Golf Invitational, which will be played at the Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, Fla.
 
For complete coverage of CCU women's golf, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalWGolf (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.