The Briar Cliff women's golf team finished the Siouxland Invitational Thursday with a first place finish at The Ridge Golf Course. The Chargers shot a team score of 336 (+52) in round two and were led by Kelly Baade's 81 (+10).

"It was good to get a win today. I was proud of how the ladies battled til the end," said head coach Ben Irlbeck. "Frankie and Helene started the season where they left off, and I know they are not pleased with their final scores today, as many shots were left out there. Conditions definitely played a part in overall team scoring. It was difficult to get into a rhythm due to the winds gusting over 30 mph."
 
Baade recorded a team high four birdies on the round, with two on par 3's. Baade paced the Cliff after shooting a consistent 41 (+6) on the front nine followed by a 40 (+5) on the back nine. Despite playing in windy conditions in today's round, Baade was able to cut 13 strokes off her round one score to finish 16th.

"It was pretty a difficult day playing through the extreme winds, but my ability to drive long off the tee helped me get to distances I can manage into the holes," said Frankie Valencia. "I would say the high winds made putting the most difficult because the greens were already playing quick, and adding high gusts of wind made it even more difficult. I would say my most memorable shot was my 290yd drive on hole 3 today!"
 
Valencia and Helene Getz Bergmo finished tied for fifth individually. Valencia posted a second-round score of 84 (+13). Valencia finished the round with nine pars. Bergmo finished just behind in sixth place overall shooting an 85 (+14) on the day. The two shot a matching 162 (+19) for the tournament. 

'The greens were a lot faster than I'm used to," said Bergmo. "Fast and tricky greens made putting very hard today."
 
Abbigale Miller finished ninth overall after her second-round score of 86 (+15). She turned in a total score of 168 Isabella Marsala was the fifth member of the BC squad and finished the round with a 101 (+30). 
 
As a team, the Chargers won the event by 18 strokes over second place Dakota Wesleyan. Mount Marty's Kelsey Heath won the event with a cumulative score of 154 (+11).

"The course was set up very favorable to account for the conditions, but it doesn't make execution any easier when you're hitting into a 30 mph fan," said Irlbeck. "Other notable was Kelly Baade who shaved over 10 shots off her score from yesterday."

Sophia Johnson, Addi Butler and Katie Wight golfed as individuals for the Cliff. Johnson finished 53rd with a second-round score of 105 (+34). Butler shot a 103 (+32) and finished in 58th, while Wight shot a 111 (+40).

The Chargers are back in action next Wednesday for round one of BC's home meet, the Lila Frommelt Fall Classic at Green Valley GC.