The North Dakota State women’s golf team concluded their season at the Summit League Championship Tuesday. The Bison finished 3rd, shooting a combined 81-over par behind the strong play of Natalie Roth.
Roth led the Bison with a low score of 227, on her way to a third-place tie at the tournament. Her 74 on the final day secured the podium finish. It was the highest finish by NDSU player since Amy Anderson won the tournament in 2013.
The Bison placed two more in the top 20. Alex Schmid and Maggie Crippen both finished in a tie for 19th at 23-over par.
NDSU finished well off the battle for the title, with Denver beating South Dakota State by six strokes at 42-over par. The Bison were able to hold off a charging Oral Roberts squad, who finished one stroke behind the Bison.
“We did make a few mistakes early today but they all battled hard and were able to hold onto third place. I’m really proud of the team and how they performed this week,” head coach Matt Johnson said.
That performance was best shown during round two. The windy conditions at the ArborLinks Golf Course caused some concern but Roth was unaffected. The junior was the low scorer on the day with a 2-over 74. She jumped up the leaderboard to fourth.
Schmid shot an 80 to stay inside the top 20 at 15-over, one stroke ahead of Emma Groom who shot 81 on the blustery day.
Freshman Camryn Roadley was one of three players to score an eagle on the day, sinking a three on the par 5 10th hole.
Roth’s round led the Bison to jump up to third in the team standing. NDSU jumped above IUPUI and Oral Roberts while trying to keep pace with SDSU and Denver on the top.
Despite the tricky wind, day two produced the same score as the opening day. By comparison to the field, it was not as a productive day for the Bison.
Roth opened her scoring with a 7-over 79. The round placed her in a tie for 17th.
Joining her in that tie were teammates Schmid and Groom. The pair also shot a 79 to put the Bison into fifth place after the opening round.