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Women’s golf takes 13th at Redbird

September 10, 2013
Sydney Brickey. Photo courtesy Shattuck-St. Mary’s School.

Sydney Brickey. Photo courtesy Shattuck-St. Mary’s School.

The Northern Illinois University women’s golf team finished 13th Monday at the Redbird Invitational, hosted by Illinois State at Weibring Golf Club.

“Yesterday it was good to see them play 36 holes. They handled it pretty good, better than I expected,” NIU head coach Kim Kester said.

“Today, you could tell it took a toll on their bodies. No one could get off to a great start,” she added. “We need to start getting four players playing good at the same time, not just one person or two people here or there. We need to get them going at the same time.”

The Huskies finished with a 959 (317-318-324), as freshman Sydney Brickey (Burtchville, Mich./Shattuck-St. Mary’s) paced NIU with a 237 in her first collegiate tournament to finish in 44th. Brickey, who carded a 76 and 82 in her first and second rounds respectively, shot a final round 79.

“It was a good first tournament for her,” Kester said. “I’m very happy with how she did. Obviously, your first tournament is always the toughest, but she handled it extremely well.”

Jenny Niemiec (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) improved as the tournament went on, moving up nine spots after firing a final round 79. Niemiec, who finished in 60th with a 242, shot an 83 and 80 in her first and second rounds respectively. Connie Ellett (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) finished in 49th with a 238 (82-74-82).

Samantha Coyne

Samantha Coyne

Casey LaBarbera (Marinette, Wis./Marinette), who posted a final round 84, finished in 60th with a 242 and Taylor Ellett (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) finished in 74th with a 250 (83-82-85).

Samantha Coyne (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett), who was playing as an individual, finished in 55th after shooting a 240 (77-82-81). Coyne’s first round 77 was a career low and all three of her scores were below her previous career best of 88.

Mid-American Conference foe Toledo won the event with an 890 (297-295-298), while Jenna Hague of Ball State took home the individual title with a 215, shooting one under for the tournament.

NIU returns to action Monday, Sept. 16, when the Huskies travel to Chicago to compete in the Cougar Golf Classic. Tee time is set for 8 a.m. at Harborside International Golf Center.

For more information on NIU women’s golf and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.