Women’s Golf Places Third at Westerwinds Challenge

9/21/2004

Nicole Puch shot a season-low 75 in the first round of the Westerwinds Challenge

Macomb, Ill. (September 21, 2004) – Behind the solid play of senior Nicole Puch, Loyola University Chicago finished third at the five-team Westerwinds Challenge held yesterday and today at the Harry Mussato Golf Course. The Ramblers carded a team score of 665, just one stroke shy of Western Illinois for second place. Northern Illinois captured the title with a 644.

Puch opened the tournament by shooting a season-low, three-over-par 75 yesterday, for the second lowest score by an individual in the first round. After posting a team score of 328 in the first round, Loyola trailed Northern Illinois by just four strokes. However, Western Illinois came from 13 strokes down today to edge the Ramblers by a single stroke.

Puch placed third overall with a 156 (75-81) and was joined in the top ten by sophomore Sarah Van Vooren (83-80) who finished seventh with a 163. Marissa Capriola (85-87 = 172) and Michelle Puch (85-89 = 174) each placed in the top 20, taking 12th and 18th place, respectively, while Danielle Schuessler finished 27th (93-103 = 196). Katelyn Gibbons, making her first appearance of the year, notched a 181 (88-93).

Loyola is back in action, Oct. 3-4 when it competes in the NIU Huskie Classic in Huntley, Ill.

Team Results
1. Northern Illinois – 324-320 = 644
2. Western Illinois – 341-323 = 664
3. Loyola – 328-337 = 665
4. Eastern Illinois – 344-325 = 669
5. Saint Louis – 380-396 = 776