Trojans Take Second at Blackthorn

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The fifth-ranked Taylor women's golf team earned a runner-up finish behind No. 14 Bethel at the Pilot Invitational on Saturday.

The Trojans entered the final round trailing the host Pilot by five shots as TU couldn't close the gap as Bethel posted a team score of 308 during the final round while Taylor carded a 309 to finish six shots back.

The loss to Bethel marks Taylor's first loss to a fellow Crossroads League opponent since September 16, 2017 when Taylor finished second to Bethel at the Battle at Blackthorn. Since that time Taylor has won three consecutive Crossroads League titles.

All five Trojans managed score in the 70's during the second round on the 5,972-yard, par-72 layout of Blackthorn Golf Club. Seniors Maddie Thomas and Taylor French joined freshman Elizabeth Kemper with rounds of 77 on Saturday while senior Annie Stimmel posted a 78 and senior Rachel Coers carded a 79.

Thomas, who led the field with 25 pars for the tournament, earned a third-place finish with scores of 78-77 while French also earned a spot on the all-tournament team, finishing in a tie for fifth place at 159 (82-77). Coers earned a top-10 finish at 162 (83-79) while Stimmel finished T-13 at 175 (87-78) and Kemper finished T-16 at 167 (90-77). The Trojans were without All-American Nicole Jung who missed the event due to injury.

Taylor carded the most pars in the field with 100 but struggled to make enough birdies to keep pace with the Pilots as Bethel tallied 14 birdies and the Trojans managed just eight.

Taylor returns to action on Monday as the Trojans travel to Dalton, Georgia for the Roadrunner Classic hosted by Dalton State at Knob North Golf Club.