Leland, Vikings Capture NSIC Golf Titles

Augustana captured it's fifth straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference women's golf championship on Sunday.

As a team, the Vikings shot a 324 in the fourth and final round for a total score of 152-over-par 1,304, finishing 33 strokes ahead of runner-up Concordia-St. Paul.

The University of Sioux Falls carded the third best team score on the final day.  The Cougars' 340 trailed only Augustana and Concordia-St. Paul for the best team scores of the fourth round.  USF finished with an overall score of  1430 to finish in eighth place.

The Vikings' Maggie Leland earned her second career individual title, shooting an 87 for the final round  Her total score of 322 was two strokes better than teammate and runner-up Marisa Toivonen.  Toivonen's 75 on Sunday was the best individual score of the final round.  Augie's Allie Ostrander tied with Minnesota State-Mankato's Tabitha Kunst for third overall at 325.

Sioux Falls' Tavia Rutherford led the charge for the Cougars, shooting the second best round of the final day with a score of 80.  She finished sixth overall with a score of 333.

Augustana advances to the NCAA Division II Central Region Championships.  The Vikings are currently ranked third in the Central Region rankings.  Augustana has placed third or better at the Central Region Championships in six straight seasons, including three straight titles from 2010-2012.

The Central Region tournament is scheduled for May 4-6 at Tartan Park Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minn.