SYRACUSE - Playing Northern Lakes Conference rivals Plymouth and Wawasee Tuesday, Warsaw Community High School girls golf coach Bob Turner was hoping for a split.
He got that, and then his team almost won the three-way match at Maxwelton Golf Club in Syracuse.In the end, Plymouth came away the winner with a four-person score of 179, followed by Warsaw's 183 and Wawasee's 191.
"I'm pretty happy with what we got tonight," said Turner. "It was close. Plymouth drilled us last year, and they went to state. Tonight we played them on a neutral course, they shoot a 179, and we lose by four strokes. I was hoping to get at least a split, and we almost beat them both. I'm pretty happy with it."
Audrey Petro led Warsaw with a 43, while Alyssa Cameron turned in a 46, Kayla Hutcherson and Sarah Hartle carded 47s and Kristina Cripe shot a 53.
"Plymouth is a measuring stick with the way we're progressing," said Turner, whose team is now 5-4 overall and 1-1 in conference action. "Our girls no longer fear them, they know they can play with them. The way I coach, it's always about the team. Tonight we had four girls in the 40s, I'm pretty pleased with that."
Erin Kinney led Plymouth with a 43, while Ashley Lenne and Rebecca Moberly carded 45s and Alex Starr and Allison Bayley turned in 46s, as the Pilrims improved to 2-0 in conference action.
While Wawasee finished third among the trio of teams, the Warriors' Taylor Goshert did turn in the best individual score Tuesday.
The talented multi-sport athlete carded a 43 for Wawasee, four strokes better than any other varsity player.
"Taylor has been playing pretty good golf," said Wawasee coach Scott DeHart. "She's playing well. She's a very talented athlete."
The Warriors entered Tuesday's three-way match with a 5-0 record, and DeHart said Plymouth was clearly the best team Wawasee has faced this year.
"By far," said DeHart. "Plymouth just reloads every year. Julie (Stauffer) does a great job with that team. You have to come play your 'A' game when you play Plymouth."
Heading into tonight's match at McCormick Creek with Northridge and NorthWood, Wawasee is 5-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
Alexis Linnemeier turned in a 46 for the Warriors, while Krista Zurcher turned in a 49, Paige Geer shot 57 and Rachelle Abrams finished with a 60.
Warsaw is in action this afternoon at Christian Creek with NLC foe Elkhart Memorial.
PLYMOUTH 179, WARSAW 183, WAWASEE 191
Plymouth (179) - Ashley Lenne 45, Erin Kinney 43, Rebecca Moberly 45, Alex Starr 46, Allison Bayley 46
Warsaw (183) - Audrey Petro 43, Alyssa Cameron 46, Kayla Hutcherson 47, Sarah Hartle 47, Kristina Cripe 53
Wawasee (191) - Taylor Goshert 39, Krista Zurcher 49, Paige Geer 57, Alexis Linnemeier 46, Rachell Abrams 60
JV - Wawasee 214, Plymouth 233
Wawasee - Cortney Rassi 57, Cayla Hilgenberg 55, Shelby Willard 47, Hayley Burns 57, Kara Kaiser 55
