WILMINGTON - Potential and struggle are words which describe how the last three months of season have been for the UNC Wilmington women's golf team. In five tournaments, the team posted two top five finishes, while also finishing near the end of the pack in the other three tournaments.

"We didn't perform how we imagined or how we could have, but I think it's just a stepping stone to get through," said senior Alei Mitchell.

The Seahawks faced UNC, Duke and NC State, which are all ranked in GolfWeek's top 25. The golf courses the Seahawks played, which include Pinehurst No. 6., also contributed to their struggles.

"We were playing hard golf courses and there was a lot of tough competition. I think we didn't do that great but we showed a lot of potential," said sophomore Laverry Kumar.

Last year at this time, the Seahawks were in an identical position as they are this season. The squad needs to win the CAA championship to capture a birth in the NCAA tournament.

"Since we accomplished that last year, it's not out of the picture," said Mitchell. "I feel like this year we know we can do it."

Cindy Ho, head coach of the team, liked the consistency her squad started showing during the spring, but she knows her golfers must step it up another level in order to extend the season beyond this weekend.

"They've all shown glimpses of really strong performances and we need them to all gel at the same time," said Ho.

Not only will a win this week bring UNCW back to back CAA titles, but a victory will secure a birth in the NCAA regionals for the eighth time in 10 years. The 2012 CAA Championships will take place at St. James Plantation in Southport, NC.