FINAL RESULTS
MACOMB, Ill. — On the final day of the Leatherneck Match Play Invitational (March 31), Western Illinois battled back to defeat Northern Iowa and claim first place.
Trailing by half a point after the first two rounds, the Leathernecks needed to win in order to claim first place. The Purple and Gold was able to defeat the Panthers by a score of 5-2.
"What we really wanted to do was try to get out, get the lead early and hang on to it," said head coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen. "Half of our matches we got the lead early, went back-and-forth and were able to hang onto it. In some of the others we came from behind, so overall it was a very solid performance. Macomb in general is incredibly generous to us and with our new facility in play, we are hoping to host more events her in the future. For us, it was a unexpected treat playing on our home course and I know it helped the girls a lot."
Senior Alex Krehbiel went a perfect 3-0 over the weekend, as she capped off her third and final round of match play with a victory over UNI's Paige Van Dyk (4&3) at the No. 1 spot.
Also picking up victories in the third round were Bridget Connolly (2&1), Ashley Dumler (4&3), Mariah Peters (2&1) and Katy Schmitt (2&1).
With the win, Western Illinois finished with 2.5 points, followed by Northern Iowa (2), UIC (1.5) and Green Bay (0).
The Leathernecks will now set their sights on the ISU Spring Invite, which takes place from April 8-9 in Terre Haute, Ind.
"As we look forward at Indiana State, we played well last there last year so our expectations are high," said Lukkarinen. "The great part about match play is that you are able to reboot each hole, win or lose. We need to take that mentality into stroke play, so hopefully we can do that over the next couple of events."
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS (Points):
1. Western Illinois (2.5)
2. Northern Iowa (2)
3. UIC (1.5)
4. Green Bay (0)
Western Illinois def. Northern Iowa: WIU wins Invitational
1. Alex Krehbiel (Western Illinois) def. Paige Van Dyk (Northern Iowa) 4&3
2. Maddie Bertsch (Northern Iowa) def. Allie Leingang (Western Illinois) 2&1
3. Bridget Connolly (Western Illinois) def. Emily Snelling (Northern Iowa) 2&1
4. Ashley Dumler (Western Illinois) def. Sarah McMichael (Northern Iowa) 4&3
5. Sydney Eaton (Northern Iowa) def. Nicole Hamilton-Cross (Western Illinois) 2&1
6. Cassidy Jurkaties (Western Illinois) vs. Hannah Bermel (Northern Iowa) Halved
7. Mariah Peters (Western Illinois) def. Anne Gradoville (Northern Iowa) 2&1
8. Katy Schmitt (Western Illinois) def. Jenna Snyder (Northern Iowa) 2&1
*Alix Larson (Green Bay) def. Katie McTaggart (Western Illinois) 1 up
*Indicates Individual (score does not count)
