Hartford, Wis. -- The Wheaton women's golf team traveled north on Friday to Washington County Golf Course for the Wisconsin Lutheran College Invitational in the first of two weekend tournaments for the Thunder. They were met on the course by Carroll, Lake Forest, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and the hosting Warriors, and Wheaton finished fourth in this five-team field. 

The one-round, 18-hole event was won by Lake Forest College, as the Foresters secured victory with a team score of 342 (+54). Wheaton trailed this total by eleven strokes (353) and finished ahead of last-placed Wisconsin Lutheran on a mark of 394. Carroll was the runner-up via a 343 tally, while MSOE placed third with a score of 345.

The sophomore duo of Abby Crutchley and Emma Lee energized the Thunder's performance on Friday. After a solid first nine holes, Crutchley found her rhythm and parred on the last five holes of the match. This run was punctuated by a birdie on the 16th hole. The two players finished tied for seventh in the 29-player field, matching each other's scores of 84 (+12).

The tenth-place position was secured by Wheaton's Ava Hartnett, who managed to par three-straight holes on the back nine. The second-year player finished her round with a score of 88 (+16).  

Seniors Abby Smith and Molly Holbert ended with respective scores of 97 and 106 to round out the Thunder's five-woman lineup on Friday. 

Wheaton faces a short turnaround ahead of its next competition, as the team will hop over to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on Saturday for the MSOE Invitational. This event is scheduled for a 9:00 AM start at Currie Park.