MACOMB, Ill. - The Leatherneck women's golf team concluded play at the eight annual 'WIU Autumn Invitational' on Monday, October 15. Western finished the tournament with a team victory and four golfers in the top five.

The 'Purple Team' for Western took home the team title with a two round score of 632 (330, 302). The 302 in the second round was the lowest score out of any team in the tournament, and the lowest one round total for the Purple & Gold this fall. The 'Gold Team' for Western finished up tournament play with a 684 (358, 326) and finished in fourth place overall.

Kristi Tschudin took home the individual title for her first career tournament victory. The Swansea, Ill. native finished the two-day tournament with a 155 (79, 76).

Coming in just behind Tschudin in a tie for second place is teammates Emily Brink and Ashley Jeffers. Brink fired a 74 in round two of the tournament, which was good for the individual low. Her two-day total was a 158 (84, 74). Also shooting a 158 for the tournament was sophomore Ashley Jeffers. Jeffers finished round two with a 77 to go along with her 81 in the first round of play.

Senior Kelsea Visalli came in a tie for fourth place in her final Autumn Invitational. She closed out tournament play with a 162 (87, 75). Rounding out play for the 'Purple Team' was sophomore Jessica Knepp. Knepp had a two-day total of 165 (86, 79) and finished play in a tie for sixth place.

Freshman Allison Farrell led the way for the 'Gold Team' during the tournament. Her two-day total of 169 (89, 80) was good for a 10th place tie. Senior Alexa Arent came in just behind Farrell with a 12th place tie. The Appleton, Wisconsin native had a two round total of 172 (86, 86).

Rounding out play for the 'Gold Team' was Marissa Juliana, Julie Whalen and Abby Ball. Juliana finished her first collegiate tournament with a 173 (92, 81), which is good for 14th place. Julie Whalen fired a 174 (91, 83), which was good for a 15th place tie. Abby Ball shot a 177 (95, 82) and finished play in a tie for 17th place.

"We played really well today (Monday). 302 is the best we've done this year so it's nice to do that toward the end of the season, it really shows your hard work is paying off." said head coach Lia Biehl Lukkarinen. "Really almost everyone improved today so we all have good things to focus on. We just have one more event in Florida so we just need to keep the momentum going into that, but overall really proud of the girls this weekend."

Western will have one tournament left this fall as they head to Florida for the Pat Bradley Invitational. The tournament will begin next Sunday (Oct. 21) in Sarasota, Fl.

Final Team Scores:

1 Western Illinois U. 330 302 632
2 Green Bay 349 329 678
3 Illinois-Chicago 349 334 683
4 Western Ill. - B 358 326 684
5 Illinois-Springfield 386 358

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