By Alex Leichenger
League rival Notre Dame spoiled the girlsâ golf teamâs chance for a second straight undefeated season by beating the Wolverines in two matches. The Wolverines have won decidedly in each of their other five matches.
The team opened its season with a sizable win over Alemany Sept. 14, posting a combined score of 207. A 229 score against Notre Dame the next day left them 10 strokes shy of moving to 2-0.
“The loss to Notre Dame was really disappointing because we were undefeated last year and we had hoped for the same this year,” Melanie Borinstein â11 said. “I think a few of us had a bad day and the combination of that didnât work out in our favor.”
Captain Tiffany Yang â10, who called the loss a “slap in the face,” attributed it to a lack of focus, a weakness the team has since worked to rectify.
After the defeat, the squad bounced back with four consecutive victories. But Notre Dame dealt them a 222-239 setback Oct. 8, their most recent match as of press time.
Often saddled with a thin roster in the past, the team has had the luxury of increased depth this year. Replacement players have been used at several matches due to playersâ injuries and scheduling conflicts.
The Wolverinesâ first four matches took place away from Encino/Balboa Golf Course, their home course.
“I think itâs frustrating to start off a season at unfamiliar places where we arenât comfortable but we adapted well and are now ready to do a great job at our home course,” Borinstein said.