The Notre Dame of Hingham sophomore had just posted a three-putt bogey, an ignominious beginning to what would turn out to be an auspicious round.

She glanced at the words on the note given to her by her teammates and her coach, David Gianferante. It read, “You have to relish the moment.’’

“I thought to myself, ‘One shot, one hole, I can do this,’ ’’ Flynn said.

On the next hole — a par 5 — Flynn hooked her tee shot. Then she hit into a bunker. Her third shot fell short of the green. Just when it seemed she’d be mired in mediocrity all day, Flynn chipped in for birdie.

She finished with a 1-over-par 72 to lead the field and help push the Cougars (340) to their ninth consecutive state title. Aimee DuBois’s 85 and Alyssa Barrett’s 89 rounded out the Cougars’ low scorers as all six Notre Dame players finished at 95 or below.

Fontbonne placed second at 356, highlighted by senior Allison Ludtke’s 79. Westboro took third at 357, led by junior Ali Reed’s 76. Barnstable (366) and Notre Dame of Worcester (376) rounded out the top five.

Notre Dame’s win came in one of its most vulnerable years. Alison Eleey, one of the state’s top players last season, had transferred to Taft, a prep school in Connecticut.

A few more losses because of graduation forced Gianferante to dip into his roster, and set his sights this season not on victory, but on improvement.

“Usually we have pretty lofty goals because we’ve won a bunch,’’ he said. “Our goal was simply to get better. Usually we’re after undefeated seasons or states. The only thing I said to these kids this year is ‘Our goal is everybody gets better,’ and I think they have.’’

Ludtke had a tough start with a few bogeys. She rolled in a 15-footer on the sixth hole, which kick-started her round.

Although she faltered a bit on the back nine, she held on to finish with her best score in tournament play.

Yesterday marked the culmination of a performance leap not just for Ludtke, but for all the Ducks.

“I’m so proud of my team, last year we came in 11th of maybe 12,’’ Ludtke said. “It’s awesome, we’ve all improved so much. It’s a great way to end my senior year.’’

Reed’s 76 was her first tournament round below 80, a feat the junior hopes to match next year as the Rangers return almost intact.

“I just feel like it’s a turning point for me and my golf game,’’ she said. “Hopefully there are more 70s scores to come.’’