SKOKIE, Ill. - Claire Gursh led the Loyola Invitational by one stroke after day one with a 74 over Ann Vrdolyak of Loyola. The two golfers came down to the wire for the top medalist spot. Gursh sunk a put on the final hole to remain tied for the top spot. Vrdolyak eventually won the playoff.

The Leathernecks won the tournament with a 626 (311,315) for its third team title this season.

"It was windy and cold again today which was no shock to the team and we did not play our best today but we never quit," said head coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen. "We defended our title and the Loyola head coach said we were the powerhouse."

Gursh finished with a 151 (74,77) to finish second after the playoff. It is Gursh's best finish since winning the WIU Invitational last season.

Tara Peterman tied for fourth with a 157 (77,80). Lindsay Wandrey carded a 158 (79,79) and finished in eighth place.

Emily Brink fired a 160 (81,79) to finish the two-day event in 13th place.

Kristi Tschudin rounded out the starting five with a 171 (87,84).

Alex Arent also competed this weekend as an individual and was solid as she turned in a 164 (79,85).

"Anytime you can win the event before the Summit League Championships it is a great confidence boost," continued Lukkarinen. "As we keep putting ourselves in positions to win, we will keep getting better at finishing."

Next up for the Leathernecks is the Summit League Championships on April 18-19 in Primm, Nev. Western Illinois will try to improve upon its fourth place finish from a season ago.

Team Scores
1. Western Illinois 311 315 626
2. Loyola University 315 314 629
3. Northern Illinois 317 319 636
4. Chicago State 317 324 641
5. Eastern Illinois 334 319 653
6. SIU Edwardsville 330 332 662
7. Wisconsin-Green Bay 343 339 682
8. Valparaiso 346 340 686
9. IPFW 357 350 707

Individual Scores
2. Claire Gursh 74 77 151
T4. Tara Peterman 77 80 157
8. Lindsay Wandrey 79 79 158
13. Emily Brink 81 79 160
T30. Kristi Tschudin 87 84 171

T18. Alexa Arent 79 85 164