Southern Illinois University
NIU Snowbird
Women's Golf wins NIU Snowbird
03/16/2012 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
March 16, 2012
By Megan KramperSIUSalukis.com
TAMPA, Fla. - Margaret Gilley led the Southern Illinois women's golf team to its third team title of the 2011-12 season as it won the NIU Snowbird Friday.
Gilley took home medalist honors as she carded an even par 72 on the final 18 holes. The senior from Flossmoor, Ill. totaled a 147, beating second-place finisher Elin Andersson of McNeese State by one stroke.
The finish marks her second medalist honors of the season as she also won the Cardinal Classic in the fall.
"Meg was on fire today and with three holes left she was four strokes under par," SIU head coach Alexis Mihelich said. "She had a really great tournament for us."
As a team, the Salukis jumped three places from fourth place after round one. The Dawgs posted a 620 overall team score, including a 304 in the final round. They beat McNeese State by three strokes overall and were nine strokes better than the Cowgirls in the final round.
"The team was motivated today and we knew we had ground to make up and had to shoot a low round," Mihelich said. "Everyone played better and lowered our team round significantly."
In fact, each team member posted a better score in round two. Cassie Rushing improved two strokes to finish the tournament in fourth place with a 152 (77-75). Shaina Rennegarbe tied for 16th with her 161 (82-79) overall finish and improved three strokes.
Ryann Gilley totaled a 161 (82-79) for the tournament and Alisha Matthews tied for 25th with a 164 (86-78). Ashleigh Rushing, who competed as an individual, tied for 36th with a 168 overall score.
The Salukis played in the same tournament last year when they finished fourth. They are back in action on March 25-26, when they host the annual Saluki Invitational at Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Carbondale, Ill.
Overall Team Scores
1 Southern Illinois (316-304) 620
2 McNeese State (310-313) 623
3 Florida Gulf Coast (311-316) 627
4 Chicago State (314-328) 642
5 Laval University (318-325) 643
6 Youngstown State (329-316) 645
7 Northern Illinois (331-320) 651
8 Illinois-Springfield (337-328) 665
9 Otterbein University (340-345) 685
10 John A. Logan (382-357) 739
11 Tampa (389-373) 762
Southern Illinois Final Round Scores
1 Margaret Gilley (75-72) 147
4 Cassie Rushing )77-75) 152
T16 Shaina Rennegarbe (82-79) 161
21 Ryann Gilley (82-80) 162
T25 Alisha Matthews (86-78) 164
*T36 Ashleigh Rushing (86-82) 168
* denotes individual finish
Players Mentioned
