Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Indiana Invitational
Women's Golf Wins IU Invitational Team Title
4/11/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 11, 2010
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| IU Invitational - Final Results 
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - On a picture-perfect spring day at the Indiana University Golf Course, the Hoosier women's golf team showed its mastery of the course by posting a 291 to win the 2010 IU Invitational. It is the first home event victory for Indiana since the 1999-2000 season. Indiana's 54-hole tally of 886 (304-291-291) was six strokes better than runner-up Colorado (892). Iowa State took third (895), with Minnesota fourth (896) and Michigan fifth (898). Illinois' Hailey Koschmann was the individual medalist with a score of 214 (71-74-69).
"We had some really good momentum coming in after the Mountain View Invitational," said head coach Clint Wallman. "They played really well in that last round, and they have been practicing really well and it was just a good week for us. I knew that we were prepared and I knew that the golf course was set up for us, and I knew that if we just went out and played we would be ok.
"There are always high expectations when you are playing on your home course. But I knew once we got past our nervousness and played the course like we have all year that it would shake out."
Senior Laura Nochta finished one stroke off the championship pace, earning runner-up accolades after a 69 on Sunday gave her a score of 216 (75-71-69). Nochta had five birdies on the day, including a three on the par-4 18th hole to finish at -3 for the round. It is the third time this year Nochta has posted a round in the 60s, including rounds of 69 in each of her last two tournaments. It is also her best finish of the season and fifth top-five finish of 2009-10.
"Laura has been steady all year," Wallman said. "She had a really good opportunity to win, and you have to tip your cap to (Illinois') Koschmann for great play on her part."
Freshman Pamela Burneski recorded her best finish of the year, taking seventh with a score of 221 (73-73-75). It also marks her first career top-10 placing. Senior Kellye Belcher was one stroke behind at 222 (79-73-70), finishing tied for eighth. Belcher's 2-under finish in the final round mark her fourth under-par round of the season and her second in as many tournaments.
"Kellye's play was huge for us," Wallman said. "Especially coming down the stretch and making a couple of birdies."
Freshman Jacqueline Yanch tied for 33rd with a final tally of 230 (79-74-77). Junior Lauren Giesecke tied for 50th with a score of 235 (77-77-81).
Competing on Indiana's B squad in the tournament, freshman Kate Coons set the course on fire in her final round with a career-best 69, and finished the tournament tied for eighth at 222 (77-76-69). Coons' Sunday round included 14 pars, birdies on holes six and seven, and an eagle on hole one. It is her second under-par round of the year and the first time she has broken 70 in her collegiate career.
"Kate's score of 69 was a breakout for her," Wallman said. "She has demonstrated periodically throughout the year that she can play at a very high level. And today she put it together."
Junior Cecilia Orevik tied for 67th with a score of 239 (82-83-74). Freshman Molly O'Connor was 86th (88-84-85/257), with freshman Kylee Wierks 88th (88-92-88/268).
Indiana's final tune-up for the Big Ten Championships is next week as they travel to the Lady Buckeye Invitational, April 17-18 in Columbus, Ohio. The Big Ten Championships are set for April 23-25 in Madison, Wis.
Players Mentioned
