Youngstown State University
Chippewa Invitational hosted by Central Michigan
Penguins Claim Fourth Victory of Fall Season at Chippewa Invitational
10/17/2023 4:05:00 PM | Women's Golf
The Youngstown State women's golf team claimed its fourth victory of the fall season on Tuesday by winning Central Michigan's Chippewa Invitational at Birmingham Country Club in Birmingham, Mich.
The Penguins finished the two-day, 36-hole event with a two-round team total of 602 to finish four shots in front of the runner-up Oakland. UIC finished third with a 611, Central Michigan placed fourth with a 621 and Green Bay rounded out the top five with a 629.
YSU recorded a 296 in the opening round on Monday before closing the event with a 306 in the second and final round on Tuesday. The Penguins held an 11-shot advantage following Monday's first round. Youngstown State closes the fall portion of its 2023-24 season with four tournament victories in five events.
Madie Smithco placed fourth with a two-round score of 149 (72-77) to pace the Penguins individually and earn her fifth top-10 finish in as many events this season. The senior's even-par 72 in the opening round featured 10 pars and four birdies. The Cranberry Township, Pa., native carded an impressive six rounds of par or better during the fall season. That total already ranks as the second most in a season in program history, and Smithco is one away from matching Katlyn Shutt's single-season program record of seven that was set in 2018-19.
Titita Loudtragulngam finished tied for seventh with a two-round 151 (73-78) to collect her second top-10 finish of the season. The senior's season-low, one-over-par 73 in the first round included 11 pars and three birdies. Neeranuch Prajunpanich also tied for seventh with a two-round total of 151 (74-77) to earn her fourth top-10 finish of the campaign. The freshman's two-over-par 74 in the opening session featured 13 pars and a pair of birdies that came at No. 6 and No. 14.
Adena Rugola finished tied for 11th with a two-round score of 154 (77-77). The sophomore's first-round 77 included 11 pars and a birdie on the par-five No. 18 while her second-round 77 featured 11 pars and a birdie on the par-five No. 8.
Lizzie Saur finished tied for 20th with a two-round 157 (82-75). The junior's second-round 75 included 14 pars and a birdie on the par-four No. 6. Playing as an individual, Chaela Barnett also finished tied for 20th with a two-round 157 (79-78). The sophomore's second-round 78 featured seven pars, a birdie on the par-five No. 8 and an eagle on the par-four No. 10.
Oakland's Bridget Boczar earned medalist honors by five strokes with a two-round total of 143 (71-72).
Youngstown State will now pause from competition until beginning the spring portion of its 2023-24 season. The team's complete spring schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
For news and updates throughout the season, follow @YSUWomensGolf on X and Instagram.
