LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – Using a strong start, the Illinois State women's golf team opened the 2022 spring season with a 4-1 win over the Morehead State Eagles in the second round of the 2022 Mid-American Conference Match Play Challenge.
Receiving a bye in the first round, the third-seeded Redbirds automatically advanced to the second round, and behind the strength of their win will face off against second seeded Northern Illinois tomorrow going off the first hole at 7:25 AM CT.
The first group off the tee for the Redbirds and Eagles was sophomore Avalon Woodward and Morehead State's Hanna Montgomery. Woodward jumped ahead early, as neither golfer led by more than a hole at any point through the first nine holes, as Montgomery led by one stroke into the turn. Woodward hit a strong stretch on her back nine and won three of the next four holes to take a two-hole lead, as she cruised to the 3&2 win to put ISU ahead 1-0.
There was less drama for Kira Wolf's round at the second position, as Wolf jumped ahead early, taking a three-hole lead through the first five holes of the round. The margin in the battle never dipped below a two-hole advantage for Wolf, as she cruised to the 3&2 win.
Kehler Koss never trailed in her match at the third spot for the Redbirds, although there were seven times, she, and her opponent – Bridget Connolly – were tied after a hole. Koss' lead grew to as many as two holes; however, the pair was tied through 17 holes. Koss came through with a par on the 18th hole, while Connolly had a bogey, giving Koss the 1-up win.
Ali Schrock started her round in the fourth grouping of the competition, tied through the first four holes. She won holes on the 14th, 16th, 18th, and third holes (the team started on the 10th hole), and she took the victory with three holes to play, winning 4&3.
The only Redbird loss came on the fifth and final grouping, where Maria Toledo Bailey fell to Mackenzie Neal 7&5.
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