Southern Illinois University
Cardinal Classic
Women's Golf wins Cardinal Classic
09/18/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
Sept. 18, 2011
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
YORKTOWN, Ind. - For the first time since 2007, the Southern Illinois women's golf team has claimed its first non-home tournament victory with a first place finish at the Cardinal Classic Sunday.
In the final round, the Salukis shot a 303 to give them a combined two-day total of 604, which is the fourth best 36-hole score in school history and each of the Salukis five golfers had rounds in the 70s.
This is the first non-home tournament victory since the Salukis won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 2007.
"As a team when you don't have to count a score in the 80s for two rounds usually means you have a good tournament," Head coach Alexis Mihelich said. "Looking forward this is only a taste of our talent and what is to come."
The Salukis top four finishers placed in the top 15 with Margaret Gilley highlighting the tournament as she took home medalist honors, concluded competition shooting a career low round of 70.
Her final round score ties the fourth-best second round score and ties her for seventh on the all-time low 18-hole score in school history. The senior co-captain shot an overall 145, which also ties the seventh all time low 36-hole score in SIU record books.
Gilley is the first Saluki to earn medalist honors at a non-home tournament since Oct. 31, 2006, when Kelly Gerlach and Christene Zorelein took home the top spot at the MVC Preview in Peoria.
"I'm so happy Meg played to her potential and her goal at the beginning of the season was to win individually," Mihelich said.
Cassie Rushing came in next in a tie for fifth place with her overall score of 151 while Ryann Gilley finished tied for 11th with a 154.
Shaina Rennegarbe took home 14th place with her two-day score of 155 and rounded out the top four scores for the Salukis. Alisha Matthews came in a tie for 22nd while Ashleigh Rushing, who was competing as an individual finished in a tie for 42nd with a 165. The Salukis will be back in action Sept. 26-27 when they compete at the SIUE Intercollegiate in Edwardsville.
Final Results - Southern Illinois (301-303) 604 1st Place
1 Margaret Gilley (75-70) 145
T5 Cassie Rushing (76-75) 151
T11 Ryann Gilley (74-80) 154
14 Shaina Rennegarbe (76-79) 155
T22 Alisha Matthews (79-79) 158
*T42 Ashleigh Rushing (86-79) 165
*denotes individual
Players Mentioned
