When Kirsty O'Connor left the United Kingdom to attend Ball State University in 2006 she said she did not think the Cardinals women's golf team would be able to beat against schools from the Big Ten.
After this weekend though, the junior has eliminated that notion.
In what O'Connor and coach Katherine Mowat described as the biggest win in program history, Ball State defeated three Big Ten schools to win the Hawkeye Intercollegiate Sunday in Iowa City, Iowa, by three strokes.
"We entered not expected to perform by the other teams, and we came out on top," O'Connor said. "I think it's been fun to watch the team grow the last few years."
This is the second tournament Ball State has won this season, and the sixth tournament it has won in the last two seasons. Prior to the 2006-07 season, the Cardinals had won two tournaments in Mowat's first three seasons.
Mowat said she is excited with how the team has progressed in her five seasons with the Cardinals.
"In some respects it's been a long process," she said. "I'm so thrilled with team and quality of people and golfers. It's so good to be in this position."
Ball State entered the final round of the Hawkeye Invitational tied for first place with the University of Iowa.
In the final 18-holes, Ball State had four players shoot less than an 80 on the par-72 course, including freshman Kristtini Cain, who shot a team-best 2-over-par. The Hawkeyes had four players shoot at least a 10-over-par Sunday.
O'Connor, who shot a 7-over-par in the final round, said the pins were in a more difficult locations Sunday.
Mowat said she knew entering this weekend the course and tournament would challenge her team. With the win, she also said, she wants people to start considering Ball State as the favorite to win the Mid-American Conference championship.
"I would love that," Mowat. "We can't get ahead of ourselves though."
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