Senior Kirby Dreher hoped the women’s golf team would come out of the gate strong to start the 2008 season.

With the help of her individual first-place finish, the Flashes did just that, tying Michigan State for first place at the Mary Fossum Invitational this weekend in East Lansing, Mich.

“Any time you can go in and tie a ranked team on their home course, it’s a nice accomplishment,” Kent State coach Mike Morrow said.

Dreher finished 1-over-par with round scores of 69, 74 and 74. Freshman Mercedes Germino had the second-lowest score for the Flashes at 5-over-par, taking fifth overall. Sophomore Martina Gavier tied for sixth at 6-over-par.

“I’m pleased with our performance,” Morrow said. “This is a great way to start the season.”

The Flashes led the tournament in the first two rounds but allowed Michigan State to tie after a team score of 300 in the third round. The team finished 27-over-par.

“There were lessons learned coming down the stretch,” Morrow said. “It was a great experience that we can use in tournaments to come. Each time you have those experiences, you react a little better.”

Morrow was pleased that along with Dreher’s first round of 3-under-par, two other Kent State golfers enjoyed rounds under par. Gavier shot a 3-under-par 69 in her second round. Senior Maddie Swaney, who competed individually, shot a 1-under-par 71 in her second round.

“It was a great test for golf,” Swaney said.

Both Morrow and the players said the future looks bright for the 2008-09 season, and they look forward to the upcoming tournaments.

“I think we can get better and better and have a chance to win every tournament,” Gavier said.

Contact sports reporter Brittany Tatgenhorst at [email protected].