Taking the road for the first time this season, the Penn State women's golf team left the Lady Northern Invitational in East Lansing, Mich., disappointed, but also eager to get back to form on its home course next weekend.

The Nittany Lions combined for a score of 938 placing ninth among 12 teams competing at the invitational. Host school Michigan State paced the field with a team total of 889.

This was a difficult match for the Lions because they have not had the opportunity to practice much. Due to the post-Labor Day start of classes, the team has
only been practicing for two weeks, while other teams have been on the course for three or four. Penn State head coach Denise St. Pierre said the lack of practice time hurt the team's performance in Michigan.

"It was a little tough, we didn't have much time to have many practices and this weekend is not indicative of the talent we have on this team," St. Pierre said.

One of the brightest spots for the Lions was junior Christin Pacacha. She began and ended strong, finishing tied for 25th overall with scores of 75-82-75 starting in only her second traveling match.

Said St. Pierre: "It was exciting to see her come out in the first match of the season and play as well as she did. It is very encouraging for the remainder of the season and I am proud of the way she played this weekend."

Pacacha's three-round total of 232 was matched by teammate Maggie Lester to lead the Lions' scoring. Lester started off strong with two rounds in the 70's, putting her in a tie for 10th place. She then closed out the tournament yesterday with a somewhat disappointing 81, dropping her into the tie for 25th.

Fellow senior Evelyn Paik carded the best round of the weekend during her second round Saturday. She played steady golf, collecting 14 pars to go along with two bogies and two birdies on her way to an even-par round of 72.

St. Pierre mentioned that the seniors might be trying a little too hard too make their final season a special one.

"They are looking to lead the team and we are looking for them to lead," she said, "It was unfortunate the way they finished [yesterday], but they are going to be fine. With it being their senior year, they are naturally going to try and push and do a little too much, but once they settle down they are going to be fine."

The finish wasn't quite what the team had hoped for, but it also gives it some things to work on to improve for the remainder of the season.

"We need to work on the little things," St. Pierre said. "In a match like this the little mistakes like the short game really adds up, and multiply it by four (the number of scores counted for each round of a match) every round and it really affects your score as a team."

But the best thing for any team coming off of a disappointing road performance is a chance to play at home and the Lions will get that opportunity this weekend when they host the Nittany Lion Invitational. The team is confident the extra week will be beneficial, enabling it to perform much more consistently at home.

"It is always nice to come home and be able to play on a course we're used to and put up some better numbers and our true ability," St. Pierre said.