Michigan State University
Lady Northern Invitational
Michigan State Claims Lady Northern Invitational Title
9/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 17, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
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Leading by two strokes entering the final round of the Lady Northern Invitational, host Michigan State finished out strong to capture the team title at Forest Akers West on Sunday, Sept. 17. The No. 24 Spartans carded a two-day, 54-hole total of 889 (298-299-292), nine strokes better than runner-up Northwestern at 898 (300-299-299). In the first tournament of the year, four Spartans finished tied for fifth or better, led by a fourth-place performance from freshman Laura Kueny, with a four-over-par 220 (74-71-75). Tara Delaney of No. 21 Kent State took medalist honors scoring a one-under 215 (72-70-73).
No. 23 Ohio State took third place (308-293-301--902), followed by a fourth-place finish by Michigan (303-298-303--904) with Kent State (305-303-297--905) taking fifth. Iowa (6th), Indiana (7th), Wisconsin (8th), Penn State (9th), Illinois (10th), Toledo (11th) and Minnesota (12th) rounded out the 12-team field.
"This is big, to start of the season with a victory, and it's even better that it came on our home course," MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll stated. "I told the girls, I think we can win a lot of tournaments this year. There are things we can improve on, but the team played tough."
The victory is Michigan State's first of its kind since 1998, when it won the Lady Northern in West Lafayette, Ind. The Spartans have now produced back-to-back wins at their home facility, also capturing the last tournament held at Forest Akers West, the 2005 Mary Fossum Invitational. MSU will look to make it three in a row April 27-29, when it hosts the 2007 Big Ten Championships.
Entering the final round of 18, Michigan State held a two-stroke advantage over Northwestern with a two-round total of 597. The Green and White then dominated the final round on its home course, firing 11 total birdies and the lowest team round of the tournament with a 292. Seniors Mandi McConnell and Heather Rose each turned in the lowest round of the day, both finishing with a one-under-par 71.
One of the brightest spots in the Michigan State lineup was Kueny, who was competing in her first collegiate tournament. The young Spartan played tactful golf the entire weekend, making par on 39 of 54 holes.
"A fourth-place finish from Laura was just spectacular," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "The best part is that she is hungry for more. She is a great player and look out for her in the future."
Three Spartans tied for fifth place. Junior Sara Brown, McConnell and Rose each finished with a seven-over 223. Sophomore Holly Niederkohr placed tied at 44th with a 238, while senior Rachel Meikle finished tied for 48th with a 239.
Competing as an individual, junior Jordyn Wells finished tied for 11th-place with a nine-over 225 (79-73-73). Four more Spartans competed as individuals: junior Kristen Polanski (T52nd - 240), red-shirt freshmen Jen Domagalski (T61 - 248), Carly Hunt (T70 - 253) and Ashley Dewling (77th - 276).
Michigan State will look for its second victory of its five-event fall schedule, when it travels to Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 30-Oct. 1 for the Wolverine Invitational.
Tournament Notes
- Michigan State's win at the 2006 Lady Northern Invitational is its first since the 2005 Mary Fossum Invitational, also held at Forest Akers West.
- The Spartans have won three of the last four tournaments they've hosted at Forest Akers West. The Spartans captured the 2003 and 2005 Mary Fossum Invitational in addition to the Lady Northern Invitational. In total, Michigan State has won 11 times on its home turf.
- The Spartans have won at least won one tournament every season since 2003. In that time period, they have won six tournaments, three of which were in the 2003-04 season.
- This is Michigan State's first Lady Northern victory since 1998, in West Lafayette, Ind.
- This marks the second-straight year Michigan State has opened the season with a victory.
- The win gives head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll 18 career victories since taking over for Mary Fossum in 1997. Fossum had 66 tournament wins in 24 seasons as the Spartan head coach.
- Freshman Laura Kueny's fourth-place showing was the first top-10 finish to be recorded by a Spartan freshman since Sara Brown took 10th at the 2005 Buckeye Invitational. Michigan State won that tournament as well.
- In finishing in a tie for fifth, junior Sara Brown now has four career top-five finishes and eight career top-10 finishes.
- Senior Heather Rose's tie for fifth place was her first top-five finish since the 2005 Mary Fossum Invitational where she tied for third.
- Senior Mandi McConnell's tie for fifth place gives her top-10 finishes in the last two tournaments held at Michigan State and the last two Lady Northern Invitationals. McConnell finished tied for eighth in the 2005 Mary Fossum Invitational and tied for ninth in the 2005 Lady Northern Invitational.
Players Mentioned
