It may have been the first tournament of 2015-16, but Ashland University's women's golf team looked in mid-season form during the two-day Eagle Invitational.
The Eagle women finished off a team championship on Day 2 at Mohican Hills Golf Club on Sunday (Sept. 20), and did so in convincing fashion. AU's final team score of 631 (318-313) was 16 shots better than second-place Wheeling Jesuit (326-321—647), and Ashland's two team rounds were the two best in the field over the weekend.
"Obviously, being at home made everybody kind of relaxed and settled down for the first tournament," said Ashland head coach Kory Oslie. "I think that was a big help and advantage for us.
"Yesterday, we didn't play bad for the first tournament round of the year. It was a good start. Today, at the beginning of the day, I had us pegged for 310, so I wasn't far off."
Junior Kaitlin Neumann earned medalist honors after firing a second-round 73 – lowest of anyone over the weekend – to finish with a two-day total of 150. Senior Ali Green finished fourth overall at 77-78—155, and junior Emily Jereb placed seventh at 81-78—159.
"Kaitlin had a rough first nine yesterday, and then she played the final 27 1-over par," Oslie said. "This doesn't surprise me at all. She and Ali are two special girls who have the ability to win any golf tournament.
"Emily was also a key factor for us to secure victory, as well. We had three in the top seven, so that was a big help."
Freshmen Monica Torda (83-84—167) and Morgan Eib (91-88—179) each competed in their first collegiate tournament.
"There was nervousness, to be expected," Oslie said. "They were able to take some positives away from this tournament. Knowing that they got this out of the way, they can kind of settle down and focus on what they can control."
The Eagles will return to the links at the Laker Fall Invitational on Sept. 26-27.
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