The DMACC women's golf team opened the fall season by winning the NIACC Invitational Sept. 12th at Mason City.

The Bears totaled 341 strokes in the 18-hole event and finished seven strokes ahead of runner-up Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC). Abby Stender of ILCC took medalist honors with a 79.

"I was extremely happy with our play," DMACC women's golf coach Chris Seaboch said, adding that the team played in a tournament in Creston earlier in the week and got rained out but were able to overcome the butterflies and nervousness of tournament play.

DMACC was led by freshman Krista Swenson of Jewell and sophomore Abi Tinlin of Des Moines, who finished third and fourth respectively in the individual competition. Swenson turned in an 83 and Tinlin was one stroke back at 84.

Other DMACC scores included an 86 by sophomore Lydia Steier of Des Moines and an 88 by freshman Emily Knoche of Iowa City. DMACC freshman Aubrey Duncan of Columbus Junction also played in the tournament and posted a 95.

"Iowa Lakes has a really strong team and for us to beat them on a neutral course was something I wasn't expecting," Seaboch said.

Seaboch said his players need to work on their short games and that is something they'll spend the fall season doing.

"We just need to be more efficient than we are around the greens," Seaboch said. "We're not going to do a lot with swing changes, but will do some small things here and there. We'll use the wintertime working on swing changes and major things."

The DMACC women's golf team will play in the Buena Vista Invitational Sept. 20th and 21st at Storm Lake.