The Washington University women’s golf team notched its third consecutive second-place finish this weekend after two solid rounds at the Illinois Wesleyan Fall Classic at Ironwood Golf Course in Normal, Ill.

The Bears were tied for third place with North Central College after the first round, shooting a 325, but all seven golfers matched or bettered their scores during round two for a 313. The team was tied for the top Division III squad with Truman State University, finishing behind National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics member William Woods University.

Perhaps more importantly, it was the team’s second win over No. 10 Illinois Wesleyan University this fall.

“[It was a] confidence booster…to prove that we’re getting better than them,” sophomore Melanie Walsh said.

The wins over the Titans could also play a big role in the spring when the Bears hope to be selected to their second-straight Division III NCAA national championship in Mission Hills, Fla.

Freshman Andi Hibbert played the par threes at just one over and led the team with a 155 (80-75), the best 36-hole score of her career. She took seventh, two strokes and two places ahead of sophomore Hannah Buck, who matched Hibbert on Saturday and recorded a 77 on Sunday. Buck was one under on the par fives.

Walsh finished in a tie for 16th with a 161 (81-80), followed by freshman Marcy Koonce (84-81, 165) in a seven-way tie for 21st and junior Katie Homa (87-85, 172) in a tie for 57th. Freshman Allyson Chee (84-84, 168) and senior captain Kate Pettinato (93-86, 179) played as individuals and tied for 40th and 87th respectively. Chee’s score was also her best 36-hole posting.

The course played a large role in the Bears’ success this weekend. This was their third time playing at Ironwood this year, and they’ve finished no worse than fifth and averaged a team score of 325.

“All the holes are straightforward and all of the par fives are probably reachable in two,” Walsh said.

With this weekend’s scores, Buck has now recorded seven consecutive rounds of 80 or better and 12-17 dating back to the Northern Kentucky University Spring Invitational at the end of March. Walsh has placed in the top 20 in three of four tournaments this season, Hibbert has placed in the top 15 in all four tournaments, with three top-10 finishes, and Chee, Homa and Koonce have provided depth and kept the team score from going above 325 only once.

That depth has provided a huge relief for the starters.

“Everyone doesn’t have to have their personal-best every time in order for the team to perform well…there isn’t as much frustration if you don’t have your best day because the team can pick you up,” Walsh said.

That depth should only improve as the season continues and the team’s rookies become more comfortable with collegiate competition.

“There’s definitely some nerves still stepping onto the first tee, but I think we’re becoming more immersed,” Hibbert said, “Hopefully we can continue that development and continue our good streak to the end of the fall and into the spring.”