NSU, SWOSU, Oklahoma Christian chase Henderson State at windy Diffee Ford Lincoln Invite
EDMOND, OKLA. —- The Northeastern State Women’s golf team fired opening round 308 (+28) just two shots back of tournament leader Henderson State at the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invite at Kickingbird Golf Course on Monday.
Junior Ebba Moberg is third in the medalist competition after firing a 3-over par 73 and is just two shots back of Henderson State’s Taylor Loeb who carded a 1-over par 71.
The RiverHawks battled the winds and tough course conditions through the front nine holes making the turn with a team score of +25. Haile Wright’s ace on the Par 3 sixth hole was a lone highlight halfway through the round. NSU was able to right the ship on the back nine finishing the day carding a (+28) 308 two shots back heading into the final round.
“Our kids fought their guts out on the back nine after struggling on the front,” said head coach Scott Varner.  It put us in a great position to win the tourney tomorrow. I have always challenged our teams; we just want to be in position to win tournaments going into the back nine of the final round.”
Behind Moberg, junior Kelsey Lumpkin carded a (+5) 75 that included an eagle on the par 5 12th and is tied for sixth. Junior Lexi Armon finished tied for 15th with a (+9) 79, Wright is tied for 25th at (+11) 81. Freshman Sumie Francois rounded the scores with a (+12) 82.
Elin Wahlin shot 74 to help Southwestern Oklahoma State move into third. Oklahoma Christian is in fourth as Abigail Rigsby shot 74. They both trail Loeb by three shots.
OC posted a team score of 314, putting the Lady Eagles in fourth among the 16 teams, eight shots behind Henderson State (Ark.) midway through the tournament. Northeastern State was second at 308, followed by Southwestern Oklahoma State at 312.
Battling a fierce north wind that gusted more than 20 mph at times, OC junior Kate Goodwin fired a 79 over the 5,821-yard course, putting her in a tie for 15th. Another shot back was junior Elizabeth Freeman, tied for 21st. Tied for 25th were sophomore Ashton Nemecek and freshman Felicity Wittenberg, who each shot an 81.
Three Lady Eagles are playing as individuals in the tournament. Two of them, freshman Shaley Goad and senior Chaise Lucero, each shot an 86 and were tied for 62nd, while freshman Taje Woods shot a 97 and was tied for 88th.
Anna Pool and Marla Souvannasing each shot 77 to lead Central Oklahoma to a sixth-place showing. after first-day play in the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invitational Monday at wind-blown KickingBird Golf Club. Pool and Sovannasing are tied for 10th in the individual standings with their 77s. The Bronchos also got an 81 from Makena Mucciaccio, while Yuna Sato shot 83 and Sydney Roberts 84. J.T. Neuzil had a 93 playing as an individual medalist.
Pool made three birdies during her round, while Souvannasing had 12 pars as strong winds caused scores to soar on the par-70 layout.
The tournament’s final round will be played Tuesday.