By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Windy, rainy and cold conditions met the Big-16 Conference West Division schools Monday afternoon as they opened their season at Indiana Lake Hills Golf Course.
Niles was able to brave the conditions to bring home a first place effort after finishing with a team score of 229.
Dowagiac finished second with a score of 245, while St. Joseph was third at 248. Benton Harbor did not have enough players to post a team score. Lakeshore does not sponsor girls' golf.
Niles' Lauren Shelton earned medalist honors as she led the Lady Vikings to victory with a 49.
The Lady Vikings also got a 56 from Lorraine Willis, a 57 from Jenna Semrinec and a 67 from Chelsey Benjamin.
Dowagiac was led by Megan Wheeler's 59. Elizabeth Grady shot 60 for the Chieftains, who also got a pair of 63s from Amanda Mengel and Alicia Maxey. Erin Ausra shot 67 and Tiffany Ferrier shot 79 for the Chieftains.
Niles leads the West Division standings with four points. Dowagiac has three points and St. Joseph two. Benton Harbor received one point.
Chieftains suffer loss
The Dowagiac varsity soccer team tasted defeat for the first time this season as it was blanked by host St. Joseph Monday evening.
The two teams were deadlocked at 0-0 at the intermission.
Anna Schueneman scored in the 47th minute of the match in what turned out to be the game-winner.
Stacey Stickney scored in the 51st minute before Kaitlyn Becker scored in the 58th minute.
Emily Knuth scored the final goal of the match in the 78th minute.
The Chieftains (3-1) won't have much time to reflect on their first loss as they jump back into West Division play on Wednesday when they host Niles.
The Dowagiac junior varsity soccer team opened its season finally with a 3-0 win over Buchanan on Wednesday, April 16.
Amanda Fox opened the scoring 17 minutes into the match. Dowagiac took a 2-0 lead on a goal 20 minutes into the match by Caroline Stanton. The Chieftains (1-0) concluded the scoring on a goal in the 45th minute by Danielle Caldwell.
Dowagiac held a 27-0 advantage in shots on goal against the Lady Bucks.