TACOMA, Wash. – Serving as the host of the PLU Invitational, the Pacific Lutheran University women's golf team placed third out of nine teams at the season-opening tournament at Lake Spanaway Golf Club.
 
"I was pleasantly surprised with the results this weekend," said PLU Head Coach Sara Griffin.  "We battled some difficult weather and picked up right where we left off from last season.  Practically the whole team played the best golf of their careers and our newcomers did an excellent job in their first rounds of college golf.  It was better than fantastic."
 
Lauryn Tsukimura led the way for the Lutes as she carded a team-best 160 after firing an 81 on Saturday and a career-low 79 on Sunday to finish tied for ninth.  Emily Fisher tied for 14^th after shooting 83 and 81.  Senior Lila Ridge shot matching 86s, and freshman Rayleah Trice carded a two-day total of 169 in her first rounds of college golf. 
 
Ava Edmonds finished with a 190 and shot six strokes better on Sunday with a 92.  Jacqueline Jackson scored a two-day total of 219. 
 
Whitman College won the invitational with a two-day total of 638.  Whitworth University finished second at 641 and the Lutes came in at 665.  Fellow Northwest Conference competitors Lewis & Clark placed sixth (723), Linfield University seventh (730), University of Puget Sound eighth (754) and Pacific University ninth (859).
 
PLU continues the fall schedule on October 2 and 3 when it heads to the George Fox University Invitational at Willamette Valley Country Club in Canby, Ore.