Cranston West junior Alexis Florio emerged victorious at the U.S. Challenge Cup held at Alpine Country Club last week, holding off a field that featured primarily Rhode Island and Massachusetts golfers with a two-round score of plus-5 (149).

Florio ultimately defeated Angela Garvin (plus-10, 154) of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, by five strokes. However, Garvin was within one shot of Florio with four holes to play. But, three bogies and a double bogey for Garvin on holes 15-18 helped Florio run away with the title.

Florio entered the second round with a three-shot lead after posting a 75 on the first day of play, carding a pair of birdies on holes 10 and 12 to go along with five bogies.

Garvin, who shot a 78 during round one, pressured Florio by shooting a shot under par on the front nine during the second day of play, but Florio countered with nine consecutive pars on her front nine to remain out in front by two.

A bogey on 14 for Florio cut Garvin’s deficit to just one shot, but the Cranston native was able to play the final four holes four shots better than Garvin to defend her home turf.