The start of every new season comes with a combination of emotions, from excitement to nerves, to an eagerness just to get the season started.

Women’s golf had to manage each of these feelings this past weekend, as they were in Evansville, Indiana, for the Screaming Eagles Invitational on Sunday and Monday. 

And managed them they did, putting together a second place finish out of seven schools in the tournament.

“We work hard as a team and made sure to take practice on and off the course seriously,” junior Becca Oertel said. “Everyone on the team takes preparation with utmost importance so we can perform our best at tournaments.”

As a group, Lindenwood shot +55 and had the lowest score on Monday with a 309. This came after a 322 on Sunday, combining for 631. The total was good enough for second in the two-day competition, only trailing Lewis (629, +53).

Junior Noelia Rodriguez Chicote paced the Lions and finished among the tournament’s top scorers for the week. Rodriguez Chicote shot a 81 on Sunday, but improved by nine strokes the next day with a 72. Her total of 153 (+9) was tied for second among all golfers in the competition.

The junior from Valencia, Spain wasn’t the only standout performer for Lindenwood in Indiana. Senior Alexis Montgomery was second on the team and tied for fifth overall with a 155 (+11). Montgomery shot below 80 on both days, with a 77 and 78 for Sunday and Monday respectively. 

Oertel and senior McKenna Montgomery also ranked inside the top 10 at the conclusion of the invitational. Oertel had a 158 (+14) overall, which was tied for the eighth best score in the tournament. Montgomery wasn’t far behind her, tallying a 10th place finish with a 160 (+16).

In their first tournament of the season, Lindenwood ended up with four top 10 finishers, helping the team gain momentum going into the fall.  

“Starting the season off well is a stepping stone to having a great season,” Oertel said. “A good first tournament brings momentum we all need not only as a team, but individuals.”

Lindenwood will next compete at the William Beall Fall Classic in Findlay, Ohio on Oct. 4 and 5, before traveling to Caseyville, Illinois at the Bearcat Dual Gender on Oct. 18 and 19.