Grizzlies, Bengals play to match-play draw

Tuesday, September 19

Missoula Country Club; Missoula, Mont.

Montana

Montana-Idaho State Match Play

9/19/2023 5:19:00 PM | Golf

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By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana women's golf team opened its fall schedule with a match-play draw against Idaho State on Tuesday at the Missoula Country Club.

The Grizzlies had the upper hand through nine holes, leading three matches 3 up or better with the other two all square, but the Bengals rallied late to end the match in a 2.5-2.5 deadlock.

Freshman Elle Higgins, at No. 1, and sophomore Raina Ports, at No. 4, both won for Montana, while sophomore Hannah Ports finished all square in her match.

At No. 6, which did not count toward the team scoring, fifth-year senior Tricia Joyce won 5 and 3.

The match was the first of four fall events for Montana, which plays on Monday and Tuesday at the Big Sky Conference 54 for IX Tournament in Saratoga Springs, Utah.

"Very encouraged," said coach Kris Nord. "I'm glad everybody got to get first-match jitters hopefully out of the way and hopefully be ready to go for Utah.

"We had a chance to win the match, but Idaho State had three or four birdies from their last few kids, and they earned to get back into a tie with us."

After two weeks of qualifying, Higgins earned the No. 1 spot for the Grizzlies and came away with a win in her collegiate debut on Tuesday, defeating Lauren Aasand 2 and 1.

"I was really nervous, first collegiate tournament. I think this was a really good way to shake the nerves," she said.

"I almost feel in match play, how you play is based on how your opponent is playing. I felt like I could have played better today but it was enough to get it done."

The first player off No. 1 on Tuesday made the turn 3 up.

"I was putting really well, so I was putting a lot of pressure on her to make long putts to tie me, which helped a lot," she added. "Those percentage putts are not always going to go in."

Montana's top five on Tuesday were all underclassmen, with sophomore Kendall Hayward playing at No. 2, freshman Katie Bogenschutz at No. 5.

Joyce played at No. 6 and with Idaho State limited to six players, Montana senior Madison Cecil played to a 4 and 3 victory over junior Kylie Franklin.

"We might have a little more fire to change some things for the next tournament, and that's what we want," said Nord.

When Raina Ports won 2 up at No. 4, Montana led 2.5 to 1.5, with only the match between Bogenschutz and Idaho State's Lexi Wilson at No. 5 still to be determined.

Bogenschutz was 4 up at one point on the back nine, but Wilson, a senior, made some key swings down the stretch and birdied 17 to square the match going into the final hole.

She stuck her approach on No. 18 to four feet, giving her a chance to win the match with a birdie after Bogenschutz came through with a long two-putt par.

Wilson drained the putt to give her a come-from-behind victory and the Bengals a come-from-behind draw.

The split, with Higgins winning and Bogenschutz coming up a putt short, gave Nord's freshmen a 1-1 record on the day.

"For Elle to come out and win the first match was great," said Nord. "And for Kate to take on Idaho State's top player and have a chance to win while competing to the end was fun to watch."

Next up for Montana will be the Big Sky 54 for IX Tournament at TalonsCove Golf Club. Nord will take his entire team to the tournament.

"It's a great progression to go from this to a multiple-day, stroke-play event," said Nord. "The kids will learn how busy the next month is going to be between golf, travel and school.

"It's time to get your time-management skills going and eat healthy and sleep well because it's going to be a big month ahead of us."

Montana 2.5, Idaho State 2.5
Missoula Country Club
Missoula, Mont.
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023

1. Elle Higgins (UM) def. Lauren Aasand (ISU), 2 and 1
2. Ainsley Snyder (ISU) def. Kendall Hayward (UM), 2 up
3. Hannah Ports (UM) vs. Lauren Parish (ISU), AS
4. Raina Ports (UM) def. Emry Gibbs (ISU), 2 up
5. Lexi Wilson (ISU) def. Kate Bogenschutz (UM), 1 up

6. Tricia Joyce (UM) def. Margaret Smock (ISU), 5 and 3
Madison Cecil (UM) def. Kylie Franklin (UM), 4 and 3