NORMAL, Ill. - Junior Vicky McGowan (Lincoln-Way East H.S./Mokena, IL) fired a 3-over par 75 on Sunday to lead University of St. Francis to a strong sixth-place finish out of 18 teams at the 36-hole Illinois Wesleyan University Women's Golf Spring Fling this weekend.

McGowan's 75 tied three others for the lowest round of Sunday's second day of play at Normal's Ironwood Golf Course. She added that round to Saturday's 83 for a two-day total of 158 which tied her for fourth place individually in the field of 97 golfers.

The field was dominated by NCAA Division III schools but USF did manage to beat two of the other three NAIA entrants, including rival St. Ambrose (Iowa). The Saints' total of 671 - which included a fine round of 324 on Sunday - topped St. Ambrose by 12 strokes and was 31 shots behind 14th-ranked William Woods (Mo.) who placed second in the meet. DePauw University (Ind.) won the event with a 36-hole total of 630.

In addition to McGowan, USF saw its next three players all improve their scores on Sunday and another Saint match her first-round effort.

Freshman Lauren Bone (Almont H.S./Almont, MI) fired an 89 on Saturday and made the biggest improvement for the Saints with an 80 on Sunday. Sophomore Rachael Anderson (Plainfield South H.S./Plainfield, IL) turned in rounds of 87 and 84, and freshman Ashleigh Offerman (Joliet Catholic Academy/Elwood, IL) posted scores of 88 and 85. Freshman Kali Hale (Joliet Township H.S./Joliet, IL) carded two rounds of 91 each.