HUTCHINSON, Minn. - After finishes of second and third place in its last two tournaments, the University of Northwestern Women's Golf team is ready to get back to its winning ways this weekend in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The Eagles are participating in the Sword and Shield Invitational, hosted by Bethany Lutheran College and Martin Luther College. The two-day tournament will take place at two different courses, and the field is made up of five UMAC schools, plus Alexandria Technical and Community College. Follow along with live scoring all weekend long
here.
Day One - Crow River Golf Club
The first round took place Friday at Crow River Golf Club in Hutchinson, Minnesota, and resulted in a 62-stroke lead for UNW after putting together a team score of 324 (+40). Northwestern also has two players at the top of the leaderboard and five of the top six.
Brielle Lenz (Marshfield, Wis./Marshfield) and
Morgan Philyaw (Jordan, Minn./Jordan) are tied for first place among the medalist field of 32 with matching 80's (+9). Lenz was steady all day, picking up a birdie on the 12th hole as part of a back-nine 38. Philyaw was playing catch-up to her teammate for much of the day, but a birdie on her final hole--her second for the day--put her in a tie at the top. Another pair of Eagles finished Friday's opening round tied, just behind Lenz and Philyaw, as
Bri Brandt (Blaine, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy) and
Paige Johnson (Zimmerman, Minn./Homeschool) both shot 82 (+11) and are tied for third place.
Ellie Rolland (Otsego, Minn./Rogers) made the most birdies (three) of anyone in the field, and is alone in sixth place at 87 (+16), despite not contributing to the team score.
Hailey Nelson (Coon Rapids, Minn./Legacy Christian Academy) and
Kylie Voight (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) particiapted as individuals, and sit in a tie for ninth and 12th, respectively, with scores of 94 (+23) and 98 (+27).
Northwestern will wrap up the tournament Saturday with another 10:00 AM shotgun start at Oakdale Golf Club in Buffalo Lake.
Day Two - Oakdale Golf Club
UNW continued to dominate the leaderboard on day two as the tournament shifted to Buffalo Lake. With a team score of 333 (+45) on the day and +85 for the tournament, the Eagles won by a staggering 99 strokes. Leading the way, yet again, was Philyaw, who broke her 18-hole tie with Lenz to shoot 79 (+7) on Saturday and finish at the top of the podium at +16 for the weekend. Lenz recorded one of Northwestern's two birdies on Saturday to shoot 84 (+12) and finish with a silver medal at +21 overall, while Brandt came in third at +22 after a final-round 83 (+11). Johnson was next, taking fourth place at +26 after carding an 87 (+15) in the final round, and Rolland finished alone in sixth after another round of +16 (88) brought her total to +32. Nelson snuck into the top 10 as well, finishing ninth at +39 after turning in a final-round 88 (+16), while Voight tied for 12th after her 98 (+26) put her at +53 overall.
Up Next
The Eagles will look to claim a fourth-consecutive UMAC Championship next weekend, beginning Thursday, October 8th at Pebble Creek Golf Club in Becker, Minnesota.
