DECORAH, Iowa — It was a different type of weekend for the Saint Mary's University women's golf team.

Not in amount of golf played, since the Cardinals played 36 holes over two days, just like they have in each of their three previous weekends.

This time around, however, the Cardinals got in not one, but two tournaments during that two-day stretch — 18 holes in the one-day UW-River Falls Invitational, and 18 holes in the one-day Luther Invitational.

"It was a little different in that we didn't see the same course and the same teams two days in a row," said SMU coach Dan Messmann, whose team placed fourth in the sixth-team UW-RF Invite on Friday, then placed 11th in the 14-team Luther Invite on Saturday. "I wouldn't say our scores were great, but I think we are headed in the right direction.

"Our main goal is still two weeks away," Messmann continued, referring to the MIAC Championships Oct. 4-5 on the Cardinals' home course. "EVerything we do now is to get us ready for those two days."

The Cardinals got a sneak peak at most of the MIAC field in the two tournaments, as SMU went up against Carleton and Augsburg on Friday, then saw Carleton, St. Olaf and Macalester on Saturday.

Andrea Hanke (Janesville, Wis.) was SMU's low scorer in both tournaments, shooting a 96 at River Falls, and a 91 at Luther. Dani Lynch (Williston, N.D.) was the Cardinals' No. 2 golfer in both meets with scores of 100 at River Falls and 91 at Luther.

"Our scores were a little high, but most of the ladies were playing the courses for the first time," said Messmann. "Fortunately, over the last two weeks (of the season) we play both tournaments on our home course, which will, hopefully, work to our advantage."