Indiana women’s golf capped off its fall season in style Wednesday, finishing third out of 12 teams in The Ally Invitational in Starkville, Mississippi. The Hoosiers scored 875, 11-over par to mark a new season-high by nine strokes.
After struggling to open tournaments strong early in the season, the Hoosiers started to find success with a fourth place first round in their last event, the Evie Odom Invitational from Oct. 6-8. Indiana continued that success in Starkville, scoring a season single-round best 281, 7-under par to vault into first place by three strokes.
Senior-plus Caroline Craig led Indiana’s first round efforts with a 67, 5-under par, to start tied for first place individually. Redshirt junior Caroline Smith was one stroke back, scoring a 68, 4-under par, at third place. Smith’s 68 is a career best.
Indiana faltered in the second round, regressing by 23 strokes with a 304, 16-over par. Despite the large step backwards, the Hoosiers managed to stay in the top three in a tight race.
Indiana recovered with a third round 290, 2-over par to hang on to third place. The Hoosiers finished one stroke behind second-place Mississippi State University and a stroke ahead of fourth-place University of Tulsa.
Smith and Craig were both able to maintain their first-round success by each scoring 215, 1-under par, throughout all three rounds to tie for fifth individually. It was Smith’s first time finishing a tournament under par and Craig’s third in her career.
Redshirt sophomore Maddie May finished third for the Hoosiers and tied for 17th overall after firing a 222, 6-over par. May notched her career-best with the score.
Sophomore Faith Johnson shot a 226, 10-over par to tie for 32nd overall. Senior Dominika Burdova rounded out Indiana’s lineup with a 230, 14-over par to tie for 42nd place of the 69-player field.
Indiana’s ability to get off to a strong start is a good signifier for its spring season. Its early season woes were largely in part to having to catch up with the field from behind, so the Hoosiers’ top-3 finish is reassuring.
The Hoosiers were able to capitalize on scoring opportunities in Starkville. Their 47 birdies ranked first in the field, and they also made an eagle, courtesy of Craig on the par-5 ninth in her first round. Indiana made 22 more birdies than in its last tournament in the Evie Odom Invitational.
With its fall schedule complete, Indiana next hits the course Jan. 16 when it competes in a dual match against the University of Louisville. The teams will compete at Pelican Bay Golf Club in Naples, Florida.
Follow reporter Will Foley (@foles24) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s golf season.
