Belles Finish Ninth at O'Brien National Invitational

Day Two Results

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - The fifth-ranked Saint Mary's golf team shot a 343 on day two to finish with a 681 at the highly-touted O'Brien National Invitational on Monday.


Members of the golf team take a photo with tournament
benefactors Katie '08, Diane, and Tim O'Brien.The fourteen-time defending NCAA Division III national champions from Methodist clinched the tournament title by the narrowest of margins, holding off a strong day-two rally by DePauw by a single stroke to win with a 630. Washington University in St. Louis turned in the best single round score of the tournament to move into third place after a 305 on Monday.

Washington's Olivia Lugar was the medalist of the tournament. The freshman followed up yesterday's 78 with a tournament-best 71 for a two-day score of 149. Joining Lugar on the all-tournament team were Catherine Wagner (Wisconsin-Eau Claire), Kelsie Carralero (Methodist), Kelsey Morrison (Geroge Fox), and Kelsey Magnine (Methodist).

The Belles were led by sophomore Doyle O'Brien's 81 on Monday, which gave her a two-day score of 164 for a share of 20th place in a tournament that featured nine teams ranked in the NGCA Division III Coaches' Poll top-eleven. O'Brien had a team-best three birdies for the tournament. Just three strokes behind O'Brien was Natalie Matuszak. The senior took three strokes off yesterday's score for an 82 on Monday for a final score of 167, which put her in a tie for 30th.

Cara Kielty finished the tournament with a two-day score of 174 (45th) after a 91 on Monday. Christine Brown took four strokes off Sunday's score to turn in an 89 on Monday, giving the senior a two-day score of 182 (56th). Janice Heffernan was the fifth scoring-eligible golfer for the Belles. The freshman had a 101 on Monday to finish 60th with a 188.

Jessica Kinnick played as an individual in the tournament and shot a 95 on Monday to finish 59th with a 186.

The Belles will open up conference play this week as they travel to Trine University for the first of six MIAA rounds this fall. Play begins at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 15 at Zollner Golf Course.