Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney women's golf team beat Southwest Minnesota State in medal match play, 4-1, Tuesday afternoon in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

The rare dual was held at the par 72 Wigwam Resort's Blue Course. The 18-hole scores for all 12 players involved (10 team and two individuals) are official and count towards individual and team rankings.

Beating their respective SMSU Mustang opponents were Ogallala senior Maaika Mestl, Doniphan junior Brandi Lemek, Oregon sophomore Kaitlyn Howe and Omaha sophomore Nia Station. 

Mestl had the lowest 18-score on the day, shooting a 2-over par 74. On Sunday she had a career-low 74 in the first round of the SMSU Spring Challenge in Avondal, Az. Three strokes behind was Utah junior Mikayla Frei who played as individual; California senior Danielle Dickerson (89) was the other individual in the field. Finally, both Lemek and Station fired 78's with Howe at an 82 and Puerto Rico freshman Faviola Gonzalez managing an 88.

Using the traditional team scoring method, UNK had a 312 to SMSU's 332. 

The Lopers were originally slated to be at home this weekend at Awarii Dunes in Axtell but the long winter has canceled that tournament. Thus, UNK will tee it up again on March 30-31 in Waterloo, Ia., at the Upper Iowa Spring Invite.

To make up for the lost home tourney, Kearney will now travel to Fort Smith, Ark., for the Hardscrabble Invitational April 6-7.