MCMINNVILLE, ORE. --- The Pacific Lutheran University Women's Golf team competed in the NWC Fall Classic over the weekend, hosted by the Linfield Wildcats at Michelbook Country Club. The Lutes finished in 5^th place, as freshman Abby Matelski lead the team once again as she shot an even-par 72 in the final round; the lowest score for PLU since 2016.
 
ON THE COURSE
 
The first round began with freshman Kathleen Pullin shooting a 43 in her opening nine. Pullin made two birdies in three holes, 11 through 13, on her back nine as she shot a 37 in the final nine of the first round. The opening round 80 for Pullin marks her lowest round since joining the Lutes Women's Golf team.
Freshman Ashley Nguyen shot a 50 in the front nine in round one but bounced back with a 40 on the back nine to shoot 90 in round one. Senior Emily Fisher opened the tournament with a 45 on the front nine, but a back-nine that featured three birdies lead to a one-under 34 on the back. Fisher lead the team in round one with a 79.
 
Sophomore Sara Rhodes went 44, 44 in round one in route to an 88. Freshman Abby Matelski opened with a 42 on the first nine before shooting a 39 on the back nine to end with an 81. After the first round, the Lutes sat in fourth place out of seven teams.
 
On Sunday, Pullin was not able to repeat her opening round performance as she shot a 91 in the final round. Pullin finished the tournament 27-over and tied for 23^rd place.
 
Nguyen was consistent in her play over the weekend, as she closed her tournament with an 89. Nguyen was 35-over on the weekend and finished tied for 28^th place.
 
Fisher's struggles in the final round came on the second nine where she shot 47, but she opened with a 37 in the first nine holes as she made seven pars and shot 37. Fisher ended her tournament with an 85 and a total of 20-over, good for a 19^th place finish.
 
Rhodes wrapped her tournament up with a 91 in the final round, finishing 35-over and tied for 28^th.
 
Matelski started her round on the back nine, where she made four birdies, three of which in four holes, to shoot a three-under 32. Matelski maintained on the second nine where she shot a 40. A final round 72 for Matelski is the lowest score for the Lutes since 2016, as she finished nine-over and tied sixth in the tournament. This marks Matelski's first top-ten in her young PLU career.
 
HEAR FROM COACH COPP
 
"328 in round one was our best team score of the year thus far. Four birdies by Emily in round 1, Kathleen's career-best 80 and Abby's 81 really set the tone. Abby played fantastic today. It was a special round to witness. She did a tremendous job of sticking her to process and remaining calm as she remained under par on her back 9. Today was a testament to the work she's put in."
 
UP NEXT
 
The Lutes Women's Golf team will travel to Walla Walla, Wash. to compete in their final tournament of the Fall season at Wine Valley Golf Course on Sunday and Monday, October 22^nd and 23^rd.
 
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