For the second time in program history, the women's golf team won a tournament, this time the Rutgers Invitational Tournament, last weekend.
"It was awesome," coach Sara Doell said. "It was more exciting to win right down the road at Rutgers, because we all know that we like to beat Rutgers. It was a long time coming. I knew that it was on the way."
As a team the Pirates shot 27-over-par, 603, including a program-record 299 in the first round. The Hall finished seven strokes ahead of host Rutgers, and 17 strokes ahead of St. John's. Doell said that leading up to the tournament, the team practiced the same way they have throughout the season.
"We certainly have done a mix of short game by hitting a lot of puts," Doell said. "We took some focus away from mechanical things and putting them in game-like situations to put them under pressure. We didn't do anything different; they just got it done this time."
Sophomore Alison Kruse, freshman Megan Tenhundfeld, and junior Christina Cant?? finished tied for second, four strokes behind Harin Lee of St. John's.
Junior Hannah Basalone tied for 11th place, shooting a 9-over- par, 153 for the tournament. Basalone, who lead the team last season, was sick during the first round of the tournament. She also suffered a cut on her hand that required four stitches and a change in her grip.
Despite the tournament win, Doell said the team still has room to improve, which to Doell is a good thing for a coach.
"It's a great problem to have as a coach when you win, and you still have things to work on," Doell said.
The team followed up their record-setting first round with a round of 304. Despite a higher score, the team still finished with the best second round score of any team.
"I told them going into the second round, 'Yeah, it's great, we're leading, but it doesn't mean anything. We have to finish the job,'" Doell said.
According to Doell, the four consecutive top-five finishes have not gotten in the players' heads, and the team has been resting.
"I think it's about maintain and having them feeling confident but not overworked," Doell said. "I think people underestimate the power of rest...They just continue to work. That's why they've done so well; they're having fun."
Doell said that the win has brought a little pressure to the team to continue their success. "With success comes that responsibility to get it done," Doell said. "I think we're starting to flip and realize that now it's no longer that we hope to finish in the top three. Now we're one of the better teams here."
The Pirates return to action on Oct. 20 as they participate in the Lehigh University Invitational, where Basalone won the first individual title in program history.
T.J. Brennan can be reached at Thomas.Brennan@student. shu.edu
