Murray State University Athletics
Koch wins playoff for first, Lady Racers second at SIU Invite
3/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Senior Santie Koch won the playoff for the individual title to help the Murray State women's golf team to a second-place finish at the 14-team SIU Saluki Invitational, held yesterday and today at the par-72, 6,017-yard Hickory Ridge Golf Course in Carbondale, Ill.
The Lady Racers led after the first round yesterday with a 307, nine shots ahead of host Southern Illinois and Illinois State, but MSU shot a disappointing 321 in today's round of play, while SIU shot a tournament-best 310 to take the team title.
Southern Illinois won with a two-round score of 626, followed by Murray State at 628, Illinois State at 630, Eastern Kentucky at 649, Northern Iowa at 657, Western Michigan at 664, Eastern Illinois at 669, Wichita State at 677, Southwest Missouri State at 688, Ferris State at 690, Rend Lake at 700, Austin Peay at 704, Creighton at 716 and Western Illinois at 725.
Koch shot a two-round 151, tying with Chelsea Bach of Illinois State, but Koch won the playoff to earn titlist honors. Koch opened play with a co-tournament-best 73 in the first round.
Senior Nikki Orazine was fourth in the 90-golfer tournament at 155, while junior Ilka Loubser tied for seventh at 159 and junior April Steenbergen was 19th at 163. Sophomore Christi Baron shot a 176, while sophomore Camilla Loeveid fired a 181.
Golfing as individuals, sophomore Lauren Hughes shot a 175, while sophomore Jena Lancaster shot a 188.
Murray State will next compete at the Lady Colonel Classic in Richmond, Ky., on April 6-8.
