Sydney Brickey
The Northern Illinois University women’s golf team finished fifth after the final round of play Tuesday at the Cardinal Classic at The Players Club.
The Huskies shot a 620, edging out the host Cardinals of Ball State by one stroke and well ahead of Mid-American Conference foe Central Michigan, which finished in 15th with a 663. The Huskies carded a 310 in both the first and final rounds of play, to finish two shots behind fourth-place Ohio (618) and 22 strokes behind winners Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan, which finished with a 598.
Sophomore Sydney Brickey (Burtchville, Mich./Shattuck-St. Mary’s) was once again NIU’s most consistent golfer, carding a final round 76 for a two-round total of 151 move up the leaderboard one spot to 11th place. Fellow sophomore Lena Gautier (La Celle Saint Cloud, France/Creteil) made the biggest jump up the leaderboard for NIU, climbing 23 spots to finish in 26th. Gautier trimmed seven strokes off her first round score to shoot 74 and finish with a 155.
“She putted the ball a lot better,” said NIU head coach Kim Kester of Gautier’s performance. “She was hitting fairways and greens. She didn’t miss very many greens and when she did she got up and down.
“It was good to see Sydney play consistent again. She worked at ball striking this week. She hit the ball well. She lipped out some putts, so that will be another emphasis this week. Overall, she’s been steady the past couple weeks.”
Junior Samantha Coyne’s (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) fell 20 spots after posting a final round 83, 10 strokes off her pace from the first round. She finished in 27th with a 156. Junior Connie Ellett (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) rebounded in her final round of play, jumping up 19 places on the leaderboard to 50th after a final round 77 for a two-day total of 161.
Freshman Hayley Mortensen (Tualatin, Ore./Tualatin), who is playing as an individual, fell to 57th after a final round 84, for a two-day total of 162 in her first collegiate event. Senior Taylor Ellett (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) moved up one spot to 68th with a 164 after a final round 83 and wraps up the Huskies’ team scores.
The Huskies return to the course Saturday, Oct. 4, when NIU travels to Iowa City for the Diane Thomason Invitational. Tee times are set for 8 a.m.
For more information on NIU women’s golf and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
