NCAA Women's Golf Championships

USC, the 2003 NCAA title winner in its 10th consecutive NCAA Championships final, began the second half of the 72-hole event in fifth, 14 strokes back. Led by Moreno and freshman Belen Mozo, the Trojans put together a solid third round, 16-over for a combined 304, the eighth-best mark of the round out of 24 teams. The Women of Troy now hold even with Pepperdine in seventh overall with a 41-over 905 (295-306-304) as they turn to enter the final round of competition on Friday.

But first-place Duke, the two-time defending champions, maintained its hold on the top spot and leads overall at 16-over 880. The Blue Devils are followed by Purdue's 24-over 888.

Moreno, ranked No. 10 in the country by Golfweek.com, started the day tied for eighth, four shots back of the lead, and is now second overall, 5 strokes back of Purdue's Christel Boeljon. Moreno birdied twice on the way in, including the very tough 18th hole, to cut her third-round score under par. She has now posted a three-day, 1-under 215 (73-72-70).