SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – An uncharacteristically high score in round one cost the Bulldogs a chance at placing within the top five of the Siouxland Invite. However, Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Golf rebounded in round two on Wednesday (Sept. 9), shooting a 321, three strokes off a program record for 18 holes. Junior Savannah McFalls landed just outside the top 20 on the individual leaderboard as one of four Bulldogs to shoot 83 or lower at The Ridge Golf Club in Sioux Center, Iowa.
Head Coach Brett Muller accompanied the men’s team in its home tournament, the Blue River Classic, on Wednesday. In his absence, Graduate Assistant Coach Emery Custer oversaw round two at the Siouxland Invite. The Concordia ‘A’ team shot 346-321–667 and placed eighth out of 14 groupings.
Said Custer, “I think our team battled much better today. The weather was better, which helped. Obviously, we were not where we wanted to end up, but there’s still time in the season to improve. We will take these results and turn it into a positive for our next tournament.”
A Bennington High School product, McFalls took a step forward as compared to her efforts at the season opening Mount Marty Invite. She shot 85-78–163 at the Siouxland Invite, which moved from Landsmeer Golf Club in Orange City, Iowa, in round one to The Ridge in round two. McFalls recorded four birdies in Wednesday’s round and climbed 11 spots to 21st place. The field of 87 total golfers was led by tournament champion, Allison Meyerink (74-73–147) of Dakota Wesleyan.
Three other Bulldogs placed in the top half on the leaderboard. Sophomore Olivia James (86-80–166; 29th) and senior Maddie Lewis (89-80–169; T-36th) tightened up their games in round two on both shot 80s at The Ridge. The A team also included sophomore Amelia Ptacnik (86-83–169; T-36th) and junior Makenzie Hughes (93-92–185; 58th).
Freshman Mia Ochsner shot the team’s fourth lowest score on Tuesday and paced the B team by carding a total of 88-94–182 (T-54th). Ochsner was joined on the second grouping by freshmen Lucy Nothwehr (95-91–186; T-59th) and Emma Anderson (94-95–189; T-62nd), sophomore Brielle Cook (98-92–190; T-68th) and senior Abigail Kollbaum (105-89–194; T-76th).
The tournament field at the Siouxland Invite was made up mostly of GPAC rivals. The top five in the team standings were Morningside (628), Park University (Mo.) (631), Doane (639), Dordt (639) and Briar Cliff (648).
Bulldogs at the Siouxland Invite
A Team: 346-321–667 (+91) | 8th place
T21. Savannah McFalls: 85-78–163
29. Olivia James: 86-80–166
T36. Maddie Lewis: 89-80–169
T36. Ameila Ptacnik: 86-83–169
58. Makenzie Hughes: 93-92–185
B Team: 375-366–741 (+165) | 13th place
T54. Mia Ochsner: 88-94–182
T59. Lucy Nothwehr: 95-91–186
T62. Emma Anderson: 94-95–189
T68. Brielle Cook: 98-92–190
T76. Abigail Kollbaum: 105-89–194
The Bulldogs will have the rest of this week off from tournament action while looking forward to the Lila Frommelt Fall Classic hosted by Briar Cliff on Sept. 16. The event is scheduled to get underway at 9 a.m. CT from Two Rivers Golf Club in North Sioux City, S.D.