Women's golf team places 7th of 16 teams

The women's golf team faced a busy three days of golf and a full plate of familiar foes this past weekend at the Northern Invitational in Minneapolis. Going into the tournament, the invitational appeared to be a good early season indication of where the Hoosiers stand in the Big Ten, since every conference squad was present.\nAfter improving from its first day score of 314, coach Sam Carmichael's team shaved some strokes the next two days on the Les Bolstad Golf Course to place seventh among the 16 teams present. IU shot a three-day total of 922 (314-302-306). Ohio State shot a 896 to finish nine strokes ahead of second-place Purdue.\nSenior Natalie Tucker led the Hoosiers in scoring, firing a 221 (76-72-73). In the two tournaments this season, Tucker has led her team in scoring while placing among the top five among all individuals. She finished three strokes behind the tournament medalist. It took a career-low tournament score by Ohio State freshman Mollie Fankhauser to secure a first-place finish.\nFreshman Danah Ford was the next highest finisher for the Hoosiers, shooting a 234 (83-75-76) to place 31st. Junior Tiffany Fisher's three-round score of 235 (78-77-80) was good for 35th place, while sophomore Cara Stuckey and junior Adrienne Graessle tied for 51st place with scores of 240. Freshman Karen Dennison closed out the IU scoring with a mark of 244.\nThe Hoosiers next travel to Franklin, Ind., for the Legends Invitational. The tournament, the third of four scheduled fall invitationals, takes place Monday and Tuesday at the Legends Golf Course, a par 72, 5,925-yard course. Last fall, IU placed fourth in the Legends with Oklahoma State placing first among the 12-team field.