Red Wolves Win IU East Fall Invitiational

RICHMOND, Ind. - The Indiana University East women's golf team held on to its first-round advantage on the second day of the IU East Fall Invitational to claim the title on Saturday, Aug. 31.

"We played outstanding this week," IU East coach Billy Mullin said. "I'm most proud of how we came out here in the final round with a small lead and kept charging forward."

The Red Wolves improved their team score from the opening round by seven strokes on the way to the victory at Highland Lake Golf Course as a steady rain fell at times during the final round. The Red Wolves won with a 314-307-621 to hold off Trine University, which posted a score of 320-307-627.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods was third at 327-311-638 as the Pomeroys were followed by Hanover College 329-324-638, Oakland City University 317-341-658, Roane State 339-337-676, IU Kokomo 337-342-679, Alma College 346338-684, Defiance College 390-383-773 and Earlham College 430-423-853.

Katie Craig (78-76-154) and Sophia Curry (79-75-154) made the all-tournament team for the Red Wolves as the duo tied for fifth on the leaderboard. Trine's Rylee Smith was the medalist at  74-72-146.

"Katie was 1-under on her front nine and held it together to shoot her career low," Mullin said. "Sophia got her day started great with a chip in for birdie on her first hole and carried that momentum with her the rest of the day to shoot her collegiate career low."

Craig was pleased with her outing.

"I started off the day playing very well and shot a personal best 1-under on the first nine holes," Craig said. "I started struggling a little on the back but brought it back to shoot my personal best 76."

"I am extremely proud of this team," Craig continued. "We all played amazingly and have never had a tournament with more rounds in the 70s. I'm very excited to see what all this team has in store for us this year."

Curry also had the best score of her career.

"Despite the adverse weather, my game held strong," Curry said. "I was very competitive off the tee and my irons were in great shape. The team played amazing,and I am so proud of all of us."

Liv Sanders (79-76-155, 6th), Lainey Jackson (79-80-159, T8th) and Jalyn Bruns (78-84-162, 14th) rounded out IU East's lineup. Ashlynne Osborne (84-87-171) and Zoe Ogden (85-86-171) finished tied for 29th, while Aurora Biava carded an 89-90-179 to put her in a tie for 40th.

IU East returns to action in the Taylor University Tournament in Yorktown on Sept. 6-7.