<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3l9zG4_0vlc5OUT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3l9zG4_0vlc5OUT00" width="1425" height="942" ><figcaption>Women’s golf at practice ahead of an invitational. Photo via Bradley Athletics</figcaption></figure>The Bradley women’s golf team traveled to Columbia, Missouri for their third tournament of the season. The Braves tournament featured outstanding performances from the players, tieing with Illinois State for third place.After heavy storms blew through the area, the first round was canceled, and the tournament was shortened to 36 holes. Bradley finished Tuesday with a total score of +23 and trailed only Florida Gulf Coast and Missouri. “The conditions this week were very difficult due to the storms and rain throughout the tournament,” head coach Halley Morell said. “[But] I thought the team played really well in the first round in wet conditions, and we finished our last four holes in the event in 2-under par, which propelled us to tie for third place.”The big name this week was once again junior Caroline McConnell. After transferring from Michigan State this year, she’s been a focal point for the Braves’ success. McConnell continued her stellar play in Columbia, finishing +4 after two rounds and tying for 15th place.“I played some solid golf over the two rounds except for a few costly mistakes,” McConnell said. “My putting was sharp, and I just made sure to take advantage of birdie opportunities when they came. There’s definitely room for improvement, but overall, I’m happy with the way I managed my game.”The team has started at an outstanding pace, placing in the top five in every event this season. Morell stated that the golfers were confident in themselves from early in the season.“Our team knew coming into the year how talented of a group we have, so expectations were high to begin with,” Morell said. “They continue to work hard daily in practice to put us in situations where we can succeed in tournaments. I truly think the best is yet to come for this group.Other individual results include freshman Peyton Coburn and junior Allison Pachoca tying for 18th with a +6 overall score and senior Maria Perakis placing 25th with +7. Sophomore Jillian Cosler finished with a +17 score, which landed her 61st place, and freshman Alyssa Mixon, who was registered as an individual for the tournament, landed in 68th place with a total score of +23. Overall, these results were definitely to the Braves’ liking.“The team played well this week, and we had a great attitude despite the poor weather conditions we dealt with,” McConnell said. “With the strong field [of teams], it gives us a lot of confidence knowing we can compete with any team even without our absolute best golf. Although we are happy with our finish, I know we are still hungry to keep improving and get ready to compete soon.”The Braves will continue the season in two weeks, competing at the Coyote Creek Classic. Last year, the Braves dominated the competition, finishing first place as a team, with five of their golfers finishing in the top 20 individually. Since this is their first and only event at home this season, Coach Morell and the players will be looking to use that as an advantage.“Our home tournament is always a special one because you only get one event on your home golf course a year,” Morell said. “Everyone gets to play and showcase our talents on a course we are very familiar with. We are continuing to prepare daily to be ready to defend our title in a few weeks.”“I’m excited to compete at Coyote Creek for the first time,” McConnell added. “There’s something special about a home event, especially with all the support we receive. We’re all ready to defend last year’s team title and hopefully keep the individual title with one of us at Bradley as well.”The Coyote Creek Classic starts on Oct. 6, as seven other women’s college golf teams come to Bartonville to compete.</div></body>

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Women’s golf places third after first-round weather delay

The Bradley women’s golf team traveled to Columbia, Missouri for their third tournament of the season. The Braves tournament featured outstanding performances from the players, tieing with Illinois State for third place. After heavy storms blew through the area, the first round was canceled, and the tournament was shortened...