The Howard women’s golf team held off a Northeast Conference dynasty for a historic victory this past weekend.

The Bison women rallied from a nine-stroke deficit to defeat 10-time NEC winners Fairleigh Dickinson for their first conference championship.

Senior Marley Franklin won her first ever individual tournament with a three-round score of 220. Freshman Mia Melendez came through in the clutch with a final round 1-under par 70, the best score of Sunday’s championship round. Melendez’s final round flurry helped her finish third in the individual standings with a score of 228.

⛳ | Her first collegiate win wins it ALL! Congratulations to senior Marley Franklin on winning this year’s @necsports women’s golf championship after leading the field the entire way through!#HUBison #HBCUGolf pic.twitter.com/gFh5wwQR2j

— Howard Athletics (@HUBisonSports) April 20, 2026

Junior Paris Fieldings joined Franklin and Melendez in the top 10 with a three-round score of 237.

Also finishing in the top 10 was North Carolina Central freshman Sanaa Carter, placing sixth with a score of 230.

Along with Howard winning the team championship, MEAC schools North Carolina Central and Maryland Eastern Shore tied with Chicago State for third place.