Southern Illinois University
Cardinal Challenge
SIU comes away with runner-up finish at Cardinal Challenge
03/16/2016 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
HOUSTON, Texas -- The Saluki women's golf team came away with a runner-up finish at the Cardinal Challenge hosted by Lamar on Wednesday, concluding the team's spring break trip. SIU shot a 314 to finish second of seven teams, just three strokes short of first-place Bradley at 311.
"It was disappointing to finish runner up, but Bradley earned it. They are a good team. We didn't play our best, so I'm happy with second place," SIU head coach Alexis Mihelich said.
Senior Mattie Lindner finished with the Salukis' best score of the day, coming away with a third-place finish of 42 golfers after a round of 74. Lindner had the lowest score of all MVC players, with teams from Bradley, Indiana State and SIU all in attendance.
"I'm thrilled for Mattie. She closed out her last spring break trip on a great round. She is a player who stays positive the entire round and just never gives up," Mihelich said. "She is the definition of a true athlete and an amazing competitor. It's very rare there are players like her in golf."
Junior Brooke Cusumano had the second-best finish for the Salukis, tying for fourth place overall. Hanna Netisingha, Kristie Yang and Sun Young Jung finished tied for 20th, 23rd and 35th places, respectively.
"Players had to be in the fairway off the tee, and we didn't hit enough of them. We know where we can improve for our next events," Mihelich said.
SIU will host a dual match against Arkansas State next Wednesday at Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Salukis will then host the Saluki Invitational next weekend at Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Carbondale.
SIU Individual Scores
3. Mattie Lindner - 74
T4. Brooke Cusumano - 75
T20. Hanna Netisingha - 82
T23. Kristie Yang - 83
T30. Sun Young Jung - 88
Team Scores
1. Bradley - 311
2. Southern Illinois -- 314
T3. Fairleigh Dickinson -- 316
T3. Lamar -- 316
5. Texas A&M -- Corpus Christi -- 318
6. Indiana State -- 320
7. Incarnate Word - 324
Players Mentioned
