BECKER, Minn.- The UNW Women's Golf team has put together an undefeated campaign so far in 2021, winning both of their meets in the first week of competition. However, both of those meets were duels against one other opponent, and on Monday the Eagles faced their biggest challenge yet in the UMAC Preview, squaring off against every team in the conference. The Eagles put together their best effort of the year so far, finishing first overall and winning the UMAC Preview to preserve their undefeated season.
Full results
here.
The Eagles won the Preview with a team score 373, topping the runner up Minnesota Morris by a comfortable eight strokes.
Kelly Van Den Bussche (Princeton, Ill./Princeton) led the way for the Eagles. It was an afternoon to remember for the sophomore as she collected her first career win, and shot the best round of her career, putting up an 89 (+17). It was a tight race at the top, as Van Den Bussche bested the runner up, Mikayla Santjer from Northland, by two strokes.
Van Den Bussche was not the only Eagle in the mix at the top. There were three Eagles in the top 10 finishers, powering the Eagles to the win.
Mattie Krause (Clear Lake, Iowa/Clear Lake) tied for third, as she had a strong day shooting a 92 (+20).
Claire Haakenson (Albertville, Minn./St. Michael Albertville), who was out on the course not knowing that she had won the NCCAA Student Athlete of the Week award earlier in the day, continued the strong start to her career. The freshman finished tied for eighth, shooting a 94 (+22).
This was a historic win for Northwestern's Women's Golf program. It had been 13 years since the Eagles had won the annual UMAC preview, a drought that was snapped on a beautiful day for golf in Becker Monday afternoon. It has also been 13 years since the UNW Women's Golf team has won the UMAC Championship. Using the momentum gained in the Preview event today, the Eagles will look to end that drought as well in October.
The Eagles will be back in action this weekend (September 10-11) in Galena, Illinois for the Midwest Region Classic.
