Bulldog women open spring season with 343 on day 1 at NWU spring invite
LINCOLN, Neb. – Each of the five Concordia University women’s golfers in head coach Brett Muller’s varsity lineup turned in scorers lower than their fall season averages as the Bulldogs teed off the 2015 spring season. As a team, Concordia shot a 343, good for a second place standing out of 10 teams (13 strokes off the lead) after day one of two at the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite.
Individually, the top three in the Bulldog all sit in the top six on the individual leaderboard. Concordia sophomore Amy Ahlers, the defending Nebraska Wesleyan Invite champion, carded an 82, equaling the score posted by freshman teammate Emma Jacoby. Meanwhile, sophomore Kayla Krueger came in close behind with an 83.
“Our top three played very well,” Muller said. “To have three in the top six of the tournament puts us in great position. Kayla’s had some pretty low scores and practice. She had a 39 on Monday and that really gave her confidence coming in. All three had great approaches and took one hole at a time.”
After a bit of a rough start, Ahlers (tied for fourth) rebounded to produce her third lowest score out of seven 2014-15 rounds. On the other hand, Jacoby used a strong day at the tee box to overcome some struggles with her putting.
The lineup was rounded out by freshman Ashlen Pospisil (96) and sophomore Brenna Gnuse (97), who are tied for 43rd and 47th, respectively, on the leaderboard. Other Bulldogs in action on Wednesday were freshman Lauren Sperry (102) and senior Jenelle Hallaert (111), who competed as individuals.
Currently 13 strokes behind first-place Iowa Western Community College, Concordia still has a shot at a team title. Muller believes his Nos. 4 and 5 golfers will have to creep into the 80s on Wednesday in order for that to happen.
“It’s very tight where we’re at,” Muller said. “We need to play well to stay in second and we’ll need some help to come back and win. Making up 13 shots in one day is possible. Our 4 and 5 players will have to step up and shoot in the 80s.”
Ahlers, a native of Albion, Neb., entered the spring season with a season average of 83.2. Jacoby averaged an 85.2 in her first six collegiate rounds prior to Wednesday’s meet.
Day 1 of the tournament took place at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln. Day 2’s action will remain in Lincoln but will shift to Pioneers Golf Course. Thursday will begin with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
