Cards place sixth at Naz Invitational
By Nicole Russo
Last Updated:12:35 PM EST 10/16/08 Section: Sports
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Case in point: Allegheny. The Gators, who have earned three straight trips to the NCAA Division III tournament, have been a thorn in the Cardinals' side, defeating them four times this fall and twice in the last week.
But sophomore Joelle Sacheli, who pioneered the program by competing as an individual with the men's team last year, knows the growing pains are part of the game.
"Being such a new program, we've faced numerous schools with established programs, which gives us both an advantage and disadvantage," she said. "We're forced to strive for success in order to beat the better teams."
Fisher began last week by placing sixth at the Nazareth Fall Shoot-Out. The Cardinals shot a combined 412 on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Irondequoit Country Club and a 389 on Oct. 6 at the Country Club of Mendon, finishing with a team score of 801. Allegheny won the tournament, shooting 328-333-661.
"I think the team did well considering we played against teams that have had a great deal more experience than we have," junior Shannon Nolan said.
Sacheli was the top individual for the Cardinals, carding rounds of 84 and 88 to finish with a 172, good for sixth in the field of 30 golfers. Despite the finish, Sacheli wasn't satisfied.
"We could have all done better, myself especially," she said. "I was a little disappointed seeing as how I started off strong both days on the front nine."
A top recruit for the inaugural team was Alex Battle, a member of the first Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester girls golf team as a high school senior. She shot 100 on the par-74 first-day course, then rebounded with an 88 on the par-73 second-day course to finish with a 188, good for 19th.
Nolan and classmate Katelyn Touhey also turned in strong second-day performances. Nolan shot a 107 and a 99 to finish with 206 while Touhey carded a 124 and 114 for 238.
"The course we played on the first day of the tournament was tougher than the course on the second day in my opinion," Nolan said.
After just three days off, the Cardinals traveled to Meadville, Pa. to compete in the Allegheny Invitational on Oct. 9. The host Gators won with a team score of 325. Fisher was seventh of 10 teams with a 378.
Battle tied for 13th in the field of 55, shooting an 87 on the par-73, 5802-yard course. Sacheli carded an 89 to tie for 20th.
As the Cardinals look ahead, Sacheli believes the support of teammates will help the squad continue to grow.
"We're strong because we have been working together as a team since the beginning of the school year," she said.
Nolan added that continued practice and competition will help the team step up its game, noting that she herself has only been playing golf since the past summer.
"I have pretty much been getting better each day, especially from where I started on day one of this season," she said.
Fisher returns to action in the McDaniel Invitational in Hempstead, Md. Oct. 19 and 20.
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