WHITEWATER, Wis. — The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships are right around the corner, and the Saint Mary's University women's golf team is heading in with a full head of steam.

For the second straight tournament, the Cardinals broke the school's 36-hole record, rifling a two-day 716 to place 10th in the 17-team UW-Whitewater Invitational.

"We played very well, especially considering the weather conditions," said SMU coach Dan Messmann, noting that the Cardinals played both rounds in a drizzling rain. "I thought everyone did a very good job of battling through the elements."

Andrea Hanke (Janesville, Wis.) led the way for the Cardinals, carding rounds of 83-84—167 to place in a tie for 17th overall. Katie O'Connor (Orland Park, Ill.) chipped in an 84-93—177, followed by Val Meschke (Pine River, Minn. / 94-88—182), Caty Beel (Tucson, Ariz. / 97-93—190) and Angie Nelson (White Bear Lake, Minn. / 120-117—237).

"We getting closer (to the season-ending MIAC Championships)," said Messmann. "And we keep getting better and better each week — hopefully that will continue and we will be able to put together our best possible rounds when it matters most."