Michigan State University
Mary Fossum Invitational
Spartans Finish Runner-Up at Mary Fossum Invitational
9/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Complete Results | Complete Results (PDF)
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's golf team finished runner-up at the Mary Fossum Invitational with a 53-over-par 917 (307-292-318) as the tournament concluded Sunday afternoon at Forest Akers West on the campus of MSU. The Spartans entered the final round with a seven-shot lead over Notre Dame, but the Irish rallied to win the 31st annual event by four shots over MSU with a 49-over 913 (309-297-307).
Florida International's Meghan MacLaren claimed medalist honors with a 5-over 221 (74-73-74), edging Grand Valley State's Gabrielle Shipley (72-74-76-222) for first place.
Freshman Sarah Burnham, playing in her first collegiate tournament, tied for sixth place at 10-over (75-70-81--226) to lead the Spartans. Burnham led the field by one shot after 36 holes but finished with an 81 on Sunday.
Junior Gabby Yurik posted her third career top-10 finish after carding a 14-over 230 (73-79-78) to tie for 10th. Her 6-over 78 paced the team in the final round.
Seniors Trisha Witherby and Lindsey McPherson, along with freshman Jacqueline Setas, all fired 80s on Sunday. Witherby delivered the third top-20 finish of her career by tying for 17th place with a 232 (79-73-80).
McPherson (81-74-80--235) and Setas (80-75-80--235) each tied for 24th place.
"It's very clear that we're disappointed in what happened today, but it's part of being in athletics, it's part of being a coach, and it's part of being on a team," said MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll. "I think that we have all the physical talent to be very good. I think today showed that we just have a few mental things to work through. That can happen after you lose three players on your team (Allyssa Ferrell, Christine Meier, Liz Nagel) that led the team for a few years. Now we're asking our returning players and new players to fill in that gap, and sometimes, that just takes time.
"But without question, we will be much better next weekend in Nashville. We've got a lot of things we need to work on. What I'm encouraged by is that we had a freshman (Burnham) lead the tournament after two rounds and we saw some great things from all of the players on the team, so we know we're going to get better. They're just a fun, awesome group and we're so happy that they're all Spartans. Stumbling now is a lot better than stumbling in April, so we will use it as a learning lesson and move on."
Individually, Katie Sharp, Jenny Sritragul and Mariah Massa all tied for 48th place at 25-over 241. Mackenzie Johnson shot a 247 to finish 67th.
The Spartans have finished at least in third place in their home tournament the last 13 years, dating back to 2002, including eight victories.
Former MSU head coach and Hall of Famer Mary Fossum was in attendance at Forest Akers West on Saturday and Sunday and presented the trophies to the winners following the tournament.
MSU returns to action next weekend (Sept. 19-21) for the Mason Rudolph Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends South Course in Franklin, Tennessee.
Players Mentioned
