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Women’s golf team in third at Kangaroo

October 1, 2013
Casey LaBarbera

Casey LaBarbera

The Northern Illinois University women’s golf team is in third place after two rounds of play in the UMKC Kangaroo Fall Invitational at Shoal Creek Golf Club hosted by UMKC Monday.

The Huskies turned in their two lowest scores of the fall, posting a first round 308 and 311 in the second round for a Day One total of 619, 20 strokes behind leader Southern Illinois.

Junior Casey LaBarbera (Marinette, Wis./Marinette) is in fourth after shooting a team best 150, six strokes behind leader Cassie Rushing of SIU.

LaBarbera fired a career low 76 in her first round, and then topped that score with a second round 74. Senior Jenny Niemiec (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles East) is in 10th after shooting a 154. She fired a first round 74 and an 80 in her second round.

“Overall, it was a good day,” said NIU head coach Kim Kester. “This is the best we’ve played all year. Casey played fantastic. In the first round, she hit 16 of 18 fairways. When you do that, you’re score’s going to be low and she did a great job of keeping the ball in play like everyone else did.”

Freshman Sydney Brickey (Burtchville, Mich./Shattuck-St. Mary’s) and junior Taylor Ellett (Hampshire, Ill./Hampshire) are tied for 22nd after carding a 159. Brickey turned in scores of 80 and 79 in the first round and second rounds respectively, while Ellett went 81 and 78 in her rounds.

Samantha Coyne (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) rounds out the Huskie competitors with a 165 (78-87) to place 35th.

“We’re looking to finish strong tomorrow,” Kester said. “I’m looking for the girls to improve their scores and come home in the top three.”

The final round of play is under way. For more information on NIU women’s golf and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.