Nicole Puch fired an opening-round 82 at the Rambler Invitational

CHICAGO (April 12, 2005) – Marissa Capriola fired a team-best 84 in the final round of play to help Loyola University Chicago to a fifth-place showing at the First Annual Rambler Invitational at Winnetka Golf Club today. Cold, wet and windy conditions affected play this afternoon as the Ramblers finished the two-day meet with a 680 (325-355). Oakland (309-331 = 640) edged Western Illinois (323-328 = 651) for the title.

Capriola finished with a team-best 166 for the 36-hole tournament, followed closely by Nicole Puch (82-88) with a 170, Rachael Sinnen ((82-89) with a 171, Sarah Van Vooren (79-94) with a 173 and Michelle Puch with a 182 (85-97).

Loyola’s Maroon squad placed ninth with a team score of 770, led by the solid play of Katelyn Gibbons (86-85) who finished with a 171.

Oakland’s Patricia Ellsworth earned medalist honors with a two-day score of 150 (74-76), as her opening round of 74 was the best in the tournament. Butler’s Niki Garden finished one stroke behind Ellsworth with a 151 and her closing-round tally of 75 was the best score of the day in less-than-ideal conditions.

Loyola is off until it attempts to defend its 2004 Horizon League Championship title at the 2005 league meet, May 2-3.