SOUTH BEND, Ind. ---Bethel University hosted their annual Pilot Spring Invitational on Friday at Blackthorn, featuring teams from 21 colleges and universities in the Midwest. The tournament was scheduled to be a two-day event but was pushed to all 36 holes on Friday due to Saturday weather concerns.

The Bethel ladies came out sharp and posted a fabulous first round score of 304, capped by the career best 73 from Freshman Ellie Webster. She was followed by Sophomore Izabela Aigner's 75, Sophomore Megan Bishop's 77 and Selah Unwin, Bethel's lone senior, who carded a 79. The opening round 304 gave the Pilots a four shot lead heading into the afternoon round.

The final 18 holes were a neck-and-neck affair between Bethel and Taylor University, but things took a turn when Aigner, who had just returned from a 2 week hiatus from injury, had to withdraw as that same injury returned with 12 holes to go. The shorthanded Bethel squad would go on to stumble a bit at the end and finish as the runner-up. Unwin finished her final round at her home course with a 76, while Sophomore Karisa Dyer added 77 and Bishop 78.

Three Pilots finished in the top 6 overall individually, led by Webster's all-tourney fifth place performance, and Unwin and Bishop, who tied for sixth. 

Bethel's 304-312 was six shots off the pace set by tournament champion Taylor University.

"I was really happy with the way we competed as a team today," said Bethel Head Coach Christopher Hess. "We had things rolling throughout the day and had great contributions from all five of our players," added Hess. "We lost a little wind in our sails when Izzy went down, but this performance is what we needed to give us some momentum going into the Crossroads League Championship in two weeks."

The Bethel ladies will next see action when they travel to Harrison Lakes Country Club in Columbus, Ind. on May 4-5 to compete in the Crossroads League Championship.

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