Bridget Connolly Leads The Way For Western, Finishes Tied For First

Leathernecks Take Second in Dayton Invitational

KETTERING, Ohio – The Western Illinois women's golf team wrapped up the final day of the Dayton Invitational on Tuesday (Oct. 17) at the NCR Country Club North Corse in Kettering, Ohio.

"The team finished up another record breaking Fall with a close Runner-Up finish at Dayton and a fantastic performance by Bridget Connolly. The team nearly caught Findlay, and Bridget Connolly led the field in regulation play and played well in the 5 hole play-off for Medalist. The team had many team and individual records posted in this short fall preview season. I'm very proud of them and all they have accomplished. We stepped outside our comfort zone with some mental conditioning and that has helped us tremendously. After a short rest we will be back at work to get stronger and make adjustments in the off season to come out in the spring ready to play," said head coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen.

STARTING LINEUP:
1. Allie Leingang
2. Alex Krehbiel
3. Ashley Dumler
4. Bridget Connolly
5. Cassidy Jurkaites

Western Illinois (B):
1. Nicole Hamilton-Cross
2. Katie McTaggart
3. Mariah Peters
4. Katy Schmitt.

DAY ONE:

The Invitational kicked off on Monday (Oct. 16) with 18 holes being played.

The Leathernecks were lead by freshmen Bridget Connolly who finished 1st overall, shooting a 70 (E). Both Allie Leingang and Alex Krehbiel tied for 17th place after they both shot a 75 each. Fellow senior Ashley Dumler, finished 3 strokes behind (78) finishing tied for 33th. Rounding out Western Illinois A, Cassidy Jurakites (86) finished tied for 76th.

Western Illinois finished day one 3rd overall with a score of 298, five strokes behind 1st place Findlay.

Mariah Peters (79) finished tied for 40th leading the way for Western Illinois B. Katie McTaggart and Katy Schmitt each shot a 85 tied for 69th. Finally Nicole Hamilton-Cross (88) ended day one tied for 82nd.

Western Illinois (B) finished day one tied for 14th overall with a score of 337.

DAY TWO:

The last day (Oct. 17) of the Invitational was 18 holes starting at 7:30 am.

Once again freshmen Connolly would lead the way for the Leathernecks. Connolly (70) shot a 75 and finished tied for 1st (145). She is now tied for 3rd all time with Anna Cullinan (Creighton Classic 10/17-10/18) after 36 holes. She dropped in the medalist honors after a 5-hole playoff. Seniors Leingang (75) and Dumler (78) ended the tournament tied for 13th with a score of 150. Leingang shot a 75 again and Dumler shot a 72. Krehbiel only finished one stroke behind (151) her fellow seniors and finished tied for 16th. Jurkaites (86) rounded out Western Illinois A and finished tied for 77th.

Western Illinois finished second with a score of 596, only one stroke behind winner Findlay.

Hamilton-Cross (88) shot a 77, and moved up to finish tied for 54th leading the way for Western Illinois B. Both Peters and Katy Schmitt were separated only by one stroke. Peters (170) finished tied for 75th. Schmitt (171) finished tied for 77th. Wrapping up Western Illinois B, Katie McTaggart ended tied for 85th overall.

Western Illinois (B) finished tied for 15th overall with a score of 686.

WESTERN ILLINOIS STANDINGS:
2. Western Illinois: 298-298--596
T1. Bridget Connolly: 70-75--145
T13. Allie Leingang : 75-75--150
T13. Ashley Dumler: 78-72--150
T16. Alex Krehbiel: 75-76--151
T77. Cassidy Jurkaites: 86-85--171

WESTERN ILLINOIS (B) STANDINGS:
15. Western Illinois: 337-349--686
T54. Nicole Hamilton-Cross: 88-77--165
T75. Mariah Peters : 79-91--170
T77. Katy Schmitt: 85-86--171
T85. Katie McTaggart: 85-95--180

TEAM STANDINGS:
1. Findlay: 293-302--595
2. Western Illinois: 298-298--596
3. Bowling Green State (B): 304-300--604
T4. Butler: 306-300--606
T4. IUPUI: 297-309--606
6. Oakland: 300-310--610
7. Dayton: 308-304--612
8. Northern Kentucky: 305-315--620
9. Central Michigan: 305-323--628
10. Eastern Illinois: 315-322--637
11. Dayton (B): 323-324--647
12. Fort Wayne: 331-320--651
13. Bowling Green State: 326-326--652
14. Detroit Mercy: 337-330--667
15. Western Illinois (B): 337-349--686

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Players Mentioned

Anna Cullinan: Senior; Pleasant Valley

Ashley Dumler: Senior; Dike-New Hartford/DMACC

Nicole Hamilton-Cross: Sophomore; Darfield

Cassidy Jurkaites: Sophomore; Penn

Alex Krehbiel: Senior; Central Lee

Allie Leingang: Senior; Columbia

Katie McTaggart: Junior; John F. Ross

Mariah Peters: Junior; Blue Springs

Katy Schmitt: Freshman; Sherrard

Players Mentioned

Anna Cullinan
: Senior; Pleasant Valley

Ashley Dumler
: Senior; Dike-New Hartford/DMACC

Nicole Hamilton-Cross
: Sophomore; Darfield

Cassidy Jurkaites
: Sophomore; Penn

Alex Krehbiel
: Senior; Central Lee

Allie Leingang
: Senior; Columbia

Katie McTaggart
: Junior; John F. Ross

Mariah Peters
: Junior; Blue Springs

Katy Schmitt
: Freshman; Sherrard