SAINT LEO, Fla. – A journey that started just seven years ago after playing competitive tennis six days a week resulted in a first career win Tuesday, Oct. 8 in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.
 
A 17-hour flight from her hometown of Torbole Sul Garda, Italy to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington then another seven-hour journey to Saint Leo, Fla. allowed for junior Francesca Santoni to find a new home, and win her first career tournament.
 
The Saint Leo women's golf team was playing at a competitive Golfweek Division II Fall Invitational where the Green and Gold saw themselves mixed in the top three with no. 1 Dallas Baptist and no. 15 Florida Southern.
 
Never contending for medalist honors before, her first-round total put her in the thick of things quickly once the tournament was shortened due to rain.
 
Santoni ran out to a four-stroke lead after the first round firing a four-under 68 on the Las Colinas course at Mission Inn Resort.
 
"I have never really been in contention for a tournament title," Santoni stated. "I've had some good placements at a few tournaments but nothing really close to actually winning one."
 
The right-hander followed her first round score up with an even-par 72 to remain in front of the player leaderboard. Santoni saw her lead grow from four-strokes to six as the Moccasins' Amanda Gartrell followed her 72 first round with a 74 second round for a 146 (+6).
 
Santoni continued, "Monday I just played well and didn't really realize until I finished the round. I was just trying not to think about it too much and stay calm."
 
"Heading into the second round, I was just very confident on how I was playing so I just focused on that," Santoni added. "After the front nine where I was struggling to make pars, I just concentrated on taking one hole at a time, hitting fairways and greens and eventually some putts would go in."
 
Leading the tournament from wire-to-wire tends to pose problems for players that haven't been in front before. "I didn't need to catch up with anyone, so I was really just focusing on making as little mistakes as possible. I realized I was going to win after 17," Santoni stated.
 
"I knew coming down the stretch coach was going to be with me, so I wasn't too nervous about the last hole," said Santoni. "Coach believed in how I was playing since the first tournament, since I arrived here at Saint Leo, and that really made me feel comfortable this week. I usually do my own thing during rounds, but this week she really played an important part in keeping me concentrated and calm and relaxed, especially Tuesday."
 
After round one, the Lions were 10-strokes off the lead where Florida Southern led the way followed by Dallas Baptist. With just a six-over Tuesday, Saint Leo put themselves in contention to battle the number one team in the nation for the tournament title.
 
The Green and Gold used the lowest team round of the tournament to propel ahead of the Red, White, and Blue Patriots of Dallas Baptist. Saint Leo finished the two-round tournament with a score of 598 to DBU's 599 to win head coach Lyndsey Bevill's second tournament at the helm of the Lions.
 
"We weren't expecting to win; we knew we could catch up with the Mocs for second place but winning was just so unexpected and it felt so good," Santoni added.
 
Bevill told the team just to believe in themselves. "I can believe in them all day, but they've got to believe in themselves on the course."
 
Santoni and her teammates are back in action Monday, Oct. 14 at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club for the 2019 Saint Leo Invitational.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Saint Leo women's golf program be sure to visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.