Milligan Ties for Seventh, Leads ISU in Her Redbird Debut

March 9, 2008

RIO VERDE, Ariz. - Led by redshirt sophomore Marisa Milligan's three-round-total of 222 (74, 76, 72), the ISU women's golf team finished the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Western Michigan, in a ninth-place tie. Milligan, who was making her debut as a Redbird, finished in a seventh-place tie individually while helping Illinois State to a three-round-team-total of 918 (300, 310, 308).

Along with Milligan, two other Redbirds finished the 18-team, 56-hole event in the top-50. Sophomore Stacey Miller posted a three-round-total of 230 (71, 80, 78) on her way to a 26th place tie, while fellow sophomore Laura Harris recorded a three-round-total of 235 (82, 75, 78) while finishing in a 47th place tie.

Notre Dame earned the victory at Rio Verde, which was held at the Rio Verde Country Club's, par-72, 6,313 yard Quail Run Course. The Fighting Irish tallied a three-round-team-total of 875 (294, 290, 291) en route to an 18-stroke victory. So-Hyun Park of Notre Dame also claimed the individual title as she recorded a three-round-total of 212 (72, 70, 70).

Illinois State finished ahead Missouri Valley Conference rivals Missouri State, Bradley, and Southern Illinois. The Bears finished in 11th place while firing a three-round-team-total of 924 (311, 299, 314), Bradley finished tied for 15th and recorded a three-round-team-total of 945 (309, 308, 328), and SIU carded a three-round-team-total of 945 (318, 313, 314), while finishing tied for 15th.

Next on the slate for the Redbirds is a trip to Gainesville, Fla., Thursday-Saturday, March 13-15. The Redbirds will compete in the Gainesville Shootout III, hosted by Florida. Tee times have yet to be announced.