Rutgers University
Rutgers Invitational
Scarlet Knights Take Second in Rutgers Invitational
Oct 11 | Women's Golf
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - RU women's golf placed second with a 609 (300-309) total at annual Rutgers Invitational, played Friday and Saturday at the par-71, 6,041-yard Rutgers University Golf Course. Leading the 17-team tournament by six shots entering the final round, the Scarlet Knights finished just one stroke behind champion Long Island University (307-301=608).
Saturday's round was played in wet and chilly conditions with temperatures in the 50s throughout the day. Play was suspended for an hour in the morning due to rain.
Junior Gabrielle Sacheli took third-place honors with a 147 (72-75) that paced the team. She finished just three strokes behind co-medalists Anna Kim of St. John's and Cristina Felip of Long Island. Sacheli was even in par three scoring with 23 pars and four birdies.
Sophomore Taylor Clark also played particularly well for Rutgers, firing a 152 (73-79) and tying for sixth. Junior Racquel Zurick finished just outside the top 10, placing 11th with a 153 (77-76).
Freshmen Tatum Jackson and Emily Mills tied for 32nd with matching totals of 161 to complete the Scarlet Knights' scorecard. Jackson shot rounds of 78 and 83, while Mills followed up her first-round 82 with a 79 Saturday.
It was head coach Kari Williams's first time hosting Rutgers' event after she hosted one at Columbia University, her previous institution, for eight years. Williams had high praise for the staff that helped her run the event, but admitted she "would have liked to win" as well.
"Some of [the girls] felt like, 'I bogeyed 18 and that's why we lost,' and I think they have to understand if you bogeyed one today, you still went one-over there," said Williams. "We're close. We're going to get a win soon, I know it. We just fell short today."
Williams wanted her team to keep their chins up after a hard-fought second place finish in difficult conditions.
"They feel bad about it, and I don't want them to hang their heads about it. We got second in our own event. That's not the worst thing, but losing by a stroke hurts."
Three Rutgers golfers played the tournament as individuals. Junior Christina Paulsen gave a particularly strong showing, tying for 15th with a 155 (78-77). Junior Jacquelyn Mullens (86-81) and sophomore Maddy Gedeon (78-89) both tied for 56th with totals of 167.
Rutgers returns to competition October 20 and 21 at the Fighting Camel Classic in Bouies Creek, N.C.
Players Mentioned
