SYRACUSE – Arguably the biggest match the Lady Warriors golf team has played to date this season was last Wednesday in Plymouth. Wawasee dropped the ball in its Northern Lakes Conference opener to the Lady Pilgrims shooting a season high 213.

Lady Warrior junior Elizabeth Jackson looks for her putt to hit the bottom of the cup Tuesday evening at Maxwelton. (Photos by Nick Goralczyk)

Tuesday night in Syracuse the Lady Warriors played possibly its second biggest match of the season when it welcomed in Goshen. Wawasee rose to the occasion in its only home NLC match of the year by defeating the Lady Redskins 174-207 at Maxwelton Golf Club.

It was one of those nights where everything went right for the Lady Warriors. Wawasee head coach Steve Coverstone had a big smile on his face and was more than pleased following his team’s win.

“We finally learned to play comfortably on our home course,” stated Coverstone. “174 is really a great score. I knew we were capable of breaking 190 so this is really impressive. Everyone was just really on their game tonight.”

Coverstone was not kidding. The ladies really took control of Maxwelton on Tuesday night. 174 is the lowest team score for Wawasee this season. But everything that went right for Wawasee, went wrong for Goshen. But Tuesday’s loss came down to more than bad breaks for Goshen according to head coach Brock Rose.

Rebecca Bender of Wawasee rips a shot down the fairway on number seven on Tuesday night.

“The girls did not catch a lot of breaks tonight. I saw a lot of our girls hitting from the trees or out of the bunkers. It just was not a good night for us,” stated Rose.

Even if everything was turning up roses for Rose and company on Tuesday night, Wawasee was going to be tough to beat. Four of Wawasee’s starting five shot in the mid-40’s. Leading the pack for Wawasee were Elizabeth Jackson and Aubrey Schmeltz. Both players shot a 43 to lead all other golfers on Tuesday. Jackson’s day was highlighted on the par three third hole when the junior saved par. Schmeltz parred four of her nine holes on the day.

Sophomores Mikala Mawhorter and Kylee Rostochak both turned in a score of 44 on the day. Both players parred three holes on the day. Junior Courtney McDaniel highlighted her day by parring the long number two and finished the day with a score of 50.

Goshen was led by Teage Minier who shot a 48, highlighted by a par on number three.

Coverstone made it clear he was happy with the play at home but the biggest improvement was needed away from the the friendly scenery at Maxwelton.

“We have to learn how to play better on the road. That is our main focus now. We know we can shoot well here (Maxwelton) but it’s time to show what we can do at other courses,” Coverstone said.

The next chance Wawasee (8-1, 2-1) will get to show what it is made of on the road is Thursday night at McCormick Creek in Nappanee against NorthWood. The Lady Panthers are one of the tougher teams in the NLC so Thursday night will be a great measuring stick for the young Wawasee squad. Goshen (2-2, 0-1) will host Concord and Plymouth at Maple Crest Country Club in Goshen. Play for both matches start at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Wawasee head coach Steve Coverstone checks out a shot from Madison Beaman on the ninth fairway.