NEWTON, Kan. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's golf team came to play Thursday in the opening round of the 2022 MIAA Championship held at Sand Creek Station Golf Course.
Northwest sits in third place after shooting an opening-round team score of 310 (+22) and is only six shots out of first place. Nebraska-Kearney is the first-round leader with a team score of 304 (+16).
The Bearcats combined to record 10 birdies, which ranks tied for second in the field behind 14 from Nebraska-Kearney. Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma each recorded 10 team birdies in the opening round.
The Bearcats fared the best of the entire field on the par four holes. Northwest averaged 4.30 (+15), while Nebraska-Kearney was second at 4.38 (+19).
Morgan Thiele saved her best for last as she recorded a birdie on hole No. 8, which was her 17th hole of the day. Thiele secured 12 pars on the day and opened up with a 76 (+4) and is tied for sixth in the tournament. Thiele played the best of anyone in the field on the par-four holes with an average of 4.00.
Anna Zech secured birdies at No. 17 and No. 18 to post an opening-round score of 77 (+5). Zech tied for the best score in the field on the par-three holes with a 2.75 average. Zech is tied for 11th after day one.
Mady Acers fired a first-round 78 (+6) and is tied for 16th. Acers tallied a birdie at No. 4.
Elly Speece carded a trio of birdies at No. 2, No. 5 and No. 14. Speece was rolling until a triple bogey on our final hole gave her a first-round tally of 79 (+7).
Kylie Carey tied for the team lead with three birdies on the day. Carey earned birdies on No. 8, No. 11 and No. 18. Carey shot an 81 (+9).
The Sand Creek Station course is being played as a par-72 and 5,960 yards. The second round is set for Friday and the third and final round will be played Saturday.
Northwest's Scores
T6.
Morgan Thiele 76 (+4)
T11.
Anna Zech 77 (+5)
T16.
Mady Acers 78 (+6)
T22.
Elly Speece 79 (+7)
T33.
Kylie Carey 81 (+9)
Team Scores (Following Round One)
1. Nebraska-Kearney 304 (+16)
2. Central Missouri 307 (+19)
3. Northwest Mo. St. 310 (+22)
4. Central Oklahoma 312 (+24)
T5. Northeastern St. 314 (+26)
T5. Rogers State 314 (+26)
7. Missouri Western 315 (+27)
T8. Missouri Southern 318 (+30)
T8. Fort Hays State 318 (+30)
10. Newman 329 (+41)
11. Lincoln 344 (+56)
