The Valparaiso University women’s golf team embarked upon the spring season on Friday, competing in 36 holes of match play at Dye Course at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The Crusaders are in third place in the team standings through two rounds, owning five team points in an unusual match play format that does not feature head-to-head team scoring. The original format was altered when Western Carolina withdrew due to travel impacted by weather.

How It Happened

• In Round 1, junior Kylie Shoemake (Schererville, Ind. / Lake Central) won decisively over IUPUI’s Mikala Mawhorter, going 8&7.
• Senior Katie Willenbrink (Mishawaka, Ind. / Penn) edged IUPUI’s Amelie Svejda by going 1 up to capture Valpo’s other Round 1 point.
• Sophomore Kayla Krueger (Spring Lake, Mich. / Spring Lake) pulled away from Western Illinois’ Alex Krehbiel, winning 4&3 in Round 2.
• Shoemake enjoyed a perfect 2-0 day, topping IUPUI’s Sara Saetre 3&1 after her lopsided Round 1 win.
• The fifth Crusader team point came courtesy of Willenbrink, who also enjoyed a perfect day. She topped Western Illinois’ Alex Krehbiel 4&3 in Round 2.
• The host Cardinals lead the event with 10 points, followed by Xavier at 8.5. The Crusader are ahead of Western Illinois (4) and in-state foe IUPUI (2.5).  

Thoughts from Head Coach Jon Haas

“It’s nice to get out on the grass again and shake off the rust that accumulates over the winter. The girls have worked really hard all winter to be ready for a successful spring campaign.”

Up Next

Round 3 of the event will take place on Saturday as the Crusaders complete the first tournament of the spring campaign.