Kendallville, Ind. - The Thunder women's golf team opened its season on Monday and Tuesday at the two-day University of St. Francis Invitational. Wheaton took third place in the eight-team field. Freshman Sarah L. Moore had an impressive collegiate debut as she paired her first-round 83, with a 77 in Tuesday's second round to post a two-round total of 160 in fifth place overall. Thunder senior Casi Blanton finished in seventh place with a 78 on Monday and an 83 on Tuesday for a two-round total of 161.

Junior Debby Bouzeos posted a 92 in the first round and a 76 in the second round for a 168. Sarah A. Moore shot a 90 on Monday and paired that with a 91 in Tuesday's second round for a total of 181. Junior Ellie Moore carded an 89 on Monday and shot a 97 on Tuesday for a two-round effort of 186.  Sophomore Michelle Morency competed as an individual and shot a 100 on Monday with a 97 on Tuesday.

Bethel (Ind.) won the tournament with 625 strokes, Walsh (Ohio) shot a 651 in second place, Wheaton took third with 667 strokes, St. Francis finished fourth with a 675, Madonna (Mich.) finished fifth with 709, Madonna "B" carded a 741 in sixth place, Davenport finished seventh with a 746, and Holy Cross finished eighth with 859 strokes.

Monday's opening round was played at Noble Hawk Golf Course in Kendallville, Indiana and Tuesday's second round was played at Cobblestone Golf Course, also in Kendallville.

This year's 667 by Wheaton was an improvement from the 692 that the team shot last year at the same tournament. Thunder head coach Jay Martin noted, "It was good to see a significant improvement from last year. As we work to prepare for the conference tournament, this was a good stepping stone to start the year."