Southern Illinois University
Saluki Shootout
Women's golf takes second straight victory at home
09/21/2014 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
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By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki women's golf team came away with its second straight win of the season on Sunday as it hosted the Saluki Shootout at Hickory Ridge Golf Course.
Junior Mattie Lindner led the team, shooting a 146 in the 36-hold tournament. The team finished with an overall score of 601 (299, 302), the fourth lowest 36-hole score in Saluki women's golf history.
Lindner finished the first round in first place, shooting a career-low 71. The second round presented some challenges, leaving Lindner tied for first, advancing her to a playoff round against SIU-Edwardsville's Alison Gorman. In a three-hole playoff, Gorman edged Lindner, pushing her to second place with a final score of 146 (71, 75).
"Mattie's been shooting right around par at practice, and she really wanted to shoot under, and she knew she could do it at home. She never gives up. She's a competitor in and out," head coach Alexis Mihelich said.
Sunday's meet featured teams from SIU-Edwardsville, Indiana State, Austin Peay State, Evansville and Eastern Illinois. The tournament also provided a chance for all the Saluki women's golfers to compete. In the first round, newcomers Jackie Biggs, Hanna Netisingha and Alice Ho - all on SIU's B team - each scored a 75, a lower score than several members of SIU's A team.
"I wanted to have this event so the other players on the roster could get a feel for the competition," Mihelich said. "Nothing beats experience, and when everyone can play and everyone's playing in a tournament, you can see what players thrive in the competition."
The outcome of the tournament came down to the wire as the Salukis and SIU-Edwardsville had close scores. Thanks to low rounds by Brooke Cusumano, who shot a 73 in the second, and the top performance by Lindner in the first, the Salukis maintained the lead over SIU-Edwardsville, finishing five strokes lower.
"I knew it was going to be close," Mihelich said. "We just played those last few holes just a couple strokes better than SIU-E. We just kept really positive and took it every shot at a time, one stroke at a time."
With Sunday's win, Mihelich is undefeated at home for her fourth year at head coach, making her 31-0 at home. This is also Mihelich's fourth time winning back-to-back championships.
The Salukis continue their fall season next Monday and Tuesday at the Johnny Imes Invitational in Columbia, Mo., hosted by Mizzou.
SIU Individual Scores
2. Mattie Lindner: 71-75 (146)
4. Brooke Cusumano: 76-73 (149)
T5. Hanna Netisingha: 75-75 (150)
T7. Kris Grimes: 76-75 (151)
T11. Alice Ho: 75-79 (154)
T15. Xianmei Jin: 76-81 (157)
T17. Kristie Yang: 79-79 (158)
T28. Morgan Reimler: 85-79 (164)
30. Jackie Biggs: 75-90 (165)
T34. Whitney Nugent: 87-81 (168)
T38. Savannah Myers: 87-84 (171)
Team Scores
1. Southern Illinois: 299-302 (601)
2. SIU Edwardsville: 304-302 (606)
3. Indiana State: 307-311 (618)
4. Southern Illinois - B: 310-314 (624)
5. Austin Peay State: 312-317 (329)
6. Evansville: 313-323 (636)
7. Eastern Illinois: 334-330 (664)
Players Mentioned
