Sports

Victoria Fagan Had An Incredible Freshman Season On LIU Women's Golf Team

She played every tournament and helped team win conference tournament and make NCAA Regionals in California.

Victoria Fagan is used to winning. She helped the Berlin Redcoats girl's golf team to back-to-back state championships when she was a junior and senior. But surely, college golf would have to be tougher to continue her winning ways, right? 

Not so fast.

After picking Long Island University in Brooklyn over Fairfield, Wagner and Quinnipiac, Fagan was an important part of the Blackbirds team and helped LIU win the Northeast Conference and gain a berth in the NCAA Regionals. 

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"Growing up I never thought I would go to college in the city but I was more open to it once my brother started to attend Pace University in Manhattan," Fagan said. "LIU was the first school I really fell in love with and I just knew I would do well there and be comfortable having my brother around." 

So did the NEC championship win surprise her? 

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"I was comfortable in thinking the team could win this year having won the previous year," Fagan said. "I thought our team was strong and had a great chance on defending our title. We knew we couldn't win the tournament on the first day so we just played our own game."

Fagan was counted on heavily and even as a freshman was a stalwart for the team. Though her scores were not what she had hoped, she still contributed to the success of the team. 

"I played in every tournament during the fall and spring season," she said. "Overall, I was not pleased with the numbers I was producing but I was thrilled with the progress I was making. There was a lot to do with my swing and I knew it would take time. It was also difficult to adjust to college golf but all the tournaments I played in will prepare me for next season. I know I had a lot of work to do to get where I want to be, but I am willing to put in the time and effort."

Thought she had many solid rounds on the golf course, her personal highlight came off the course. 

"I would say my individual highlight was spring break," Fagan said. "We went down to Florida for spring break this year and got to play some great courses. We played fun competitions with Seton Hall and Yale. We also went to Disney and met up with the baseball team for dinner on night. I became a lot closer with my teammates and coach during this trip. I knew it was a trip I could look back on and know I had a great time. 

"Our team highlight would be qualifying for regionals this year. We were selected to go to California, which was a treat for everyone, including myself. The experience in itself was very memorable.

"NCAAs was an experience like no other. Knowing that this was the most impressive tournament I had ever played in, I wasn't taking anything for granted. The course was amazing and it was great to have such a competitive field. 

"After one of our morning rounds, we went back to the course to watch the top teams finish out. It was great to see such talent because there was always something to learn from them, including course management. During my final round I had my own live scorer for my group.

"This was my first time in California. I was able to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz while we were there."

Fagan said, like her former Berlin teammates, who won their third straight state championship this season, she hopes for her own three-peat. 

"Next year we will have everyone returning to play so I don't see why we can't be in contention for a three-peat." 


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