By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
GreenBayPhoenix.com

MACOMB, Ill. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Sophomore Renee Christensen (Greenleaf, Wis.) carded a second round 77 and led a young Green Bay women's golf team to a season-best second place finish on Monday at the WIU Autumn Invitational hosted by Western Illinois at Harry Mussato Golf Course. The Phoenix, with one sophomore and four freshmen playing in the 36-hole tournament, finished behind only the host Leathernecks.

Green Bay posted a team score of 678 for the tourney, behind WIU (632) but in front of UIC (683), Western Illinois' B squad (684) and Illinois-Springfield (744).

Christensen's 77 left her as the top golfer in the field not playing her own home course, as three Western Illinois golfers took the top three spots. Christensen shaved eight strokes off of her opening round 85 to finish with a 36-hole score of 162. The sophomore ranked second in the field with 19 pars over the course of two days.

Freshman Sammi Grunder (Pardeeville, Wis.) had the best tournament of her young career with consistent rounds 82 and 83. Grunder's two-day total of 165 left her in a tie for sixth place. Another freshman, Katie Pokrandt (Eau Claire, Wis.), bounced back from a tough first round to card an 82 on Monday and finish in tie for 12th.

Two other freshmen - Steph Laude (Slinger, Wis.) and Lexi Wilson (Marinette, Wis.) - finished in 19th and 23rd respectively to round out the Phoenix scorers.

WIU Autumn Invitational
Team Scores
1. Western Illinois, 330-302=632
2. Green Bay, 349-329=678
3. UIC, 349-334=683
4. Western Illinois B, 684
5. Illinois-Springfield, 386-358=744

Individual Scores
T4. Renee Christensen, 85-77=162
T6. Sammi Grunder, 82-83=165
T12. Katie Pokrandt, 90-82=172
19. Steph Laude, 92-87=179
23. Lexi Wilson, 98-96=194

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