Erika Pfaender (Pewaukee, Wis./Arrowhead H.S.) finished in a tie for seventh place individually to lead Valparaiso to a seventh place team finish on Tuesday at the Butler Spring Invitational at Prestwick Country Club in Avon, Ind.

The Crusaders shot 336 on day two of the competition to finish at 679 overall, just one shot in back of sixth place Cleveland State.  Butler won the tournament carding a 648 (327-321), winning by six strokes over IUPUI.

“Overall we improved by seven shots over yesterday,” head coach Mike Higdon said.  “One of our goals before we started the round was to wipe the slate clean from day one and make it an 18-hole event.”

Pfaender followed up her round one score of 81 with an 82 on Tuesday over the 5,980-yard, par-71 layout.   She finished just four shots out of second place.  Michele Nash of Butler won the individual title at five-over par 147 (73-74).

“Erika was solid both days,” Higdon added.  “A seventh place finish out of 55 golfers is nothing to complain about.”

Brianna Davy (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) fired Valpo’s low second round with an 81, and finished second on the team at 170 for the tournament.

“I’m really happy for Bri today improving by eight shots over yesterday,” Higdon said.  “She battled back from that first round.”

Kelly Voigt (Palatine, Ill./Fremd H.S.) and Michelle Kleckner (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale H.S.) carded an 85 and 88 respectively to finish at 171 and 175 for the Crusaders while Jessica O’Brien (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) added a 91 to finish at 190.

Annie Nolan (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso H.S.), playing as an individual, fired a 92 on day two to finish at 186.

“Considering where we were yesterday I can’t complain,” Higdon concluded.  “We’re still not where we need to be as a team though.  We need four scores in the upper 70s, low 80s consistently to be competitive towards the top.”

Valparaiso will return to the golf course on April 11 and 12 when the Crusaders compete in the Loyola Invitational in Evanston, Ill.