By Alex Blumer
Enquirer contributor

Mary Ann Plunkett continued her march through the competition at Wednesday's quarterfinals of the Sterling Cut Glass Women's Metropolitan Amateur Championship at Coldstream Country Club.

The top-seeded Plunkett advanced in just 12 holes for the second straight day, beating Diane Calkins 8 and 6.

"I prefer match play," said Plunkett. "I'm usually an aggressive player, and it's easier when you can play according to your opponent instead of worrying about saving strokes."

Lynn Thompson, who will try to slow Plunkett today when they meet in the semifinals, said, "She's on a different level."

Thompson bested Coldstream member Janie Klare 3 and 2 in a matchup of former Met winners. Thompson took the lead for good on the 11th hole after Klare had squared the match on the previous hole.

"Lynn was phenomenal," Klare said. "I played as well as I could, and for her to beat me on my home course ... she was throwing darts out there."

The other semifinal will feature Kim Keyer-Scott. Keyer-Scott, the second seed, turned in another strong performance in eliminating Lori Sue Eberle 6 and 5.

"I think I've reached a level where I know I can compete with everyone, instead of just hoping I can," Keyer-Scott said.

Rounding out the field will be Bernice Gallagher, who took advantage of some erratic putting by Katie Rakel to come away with a 2-and-1 victory.

Rakel three-putted on the 16th to put Gallagher 2-up, then couldn't convert a short putt on 17 that would have given her the hole and extended the match.

Today's first semifinal begins at 8:30 a.m.; the second starts at 8:39.

Women's Met golf