Momentum from a successful fall portion of its season carried over to the spring opener for the Missouri Western women’s golf team with a win at the Rockhurst Early Bird Tournament held at Paradise Pointe Golf Course.

Western battled windy conditions to finish with a two-round score of 683 (+107), eight strokes ahead of second-place Northwest Missouri. Natalie Bird finished second in the individual standings, with teammate Kristen Cooley coming in third. Bird shot an 83 on day one and an 82 to close out the tournament to finish just four strokes behind tournament winner, Kayla Eckelkamp of Maryville. Cooley finished with a two round total of 171 (+26), and finished one stroke ahead of three players tied for fourth place.

Casi Webb’s 175 was good for an 11th place tie with Ashley Powers of Northwest Missouri, and Shelby Stone’s 177 landed her 13th in the individual standings. Darcy Smith (181) finished in 20th, while Britni Nikes (189) finished in a tie for 26th.

The women return to the links when they host the MWSU Spring Invitational at the St. Joseph Country Club March 25 and 26.

— MWSU Sports Information —