The Irish completed a season laden with challenges, but despite the adversity, managed to put together some strong finishes against top competition. Notre Dame ultimately finished 17th at the NCAA Central Region last Saturday, but still has a season of highlights to reflect upon.
The Irish finished strong in a tough stretch of tournaments during the spring, making the squad the team to beat entering the Big East championships. Although the Irish would end up finishing in third place, they still managed to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Central Region competition.
Notre Dame was able to stay in contention during the conference tournament in large part due to excellent play from senior Annie Brophy. Brophy was one of the most consistent players on the team throughout the season. While at the championships, Brophy finished in second place, just short of her first-place finish a year before.
Sophomore Becca Huffer also rose to the occasion to lead the Irish.
"The two players that have shown up on a consistent basis are Annie Brophy and Becca Huffer," Irish coach Susan Holt said. "They've both done their part. Becca and Annie have pulled their share of the weight."
The success began for the Irish at the start of the fall season, as they had one of their best finishes by tying for third at the rain-shortened Bettie Lou Evans Invitational in Lexington, Ky.
While at the tournament, junior So-Hyun Park led the Irish with a 1-over 72 on the final day of play, which earned her a share of eighth place for the overall individual title. This marked the first of many top individual honors for the Irish.
In a tough conference, the Irish had three players named to the All-Big East team. Through their outstanding performance in the regular season, Brophy, Huffer and junior Katie Conway all proved to be among the best in the conference. Brophy became only the second player in Irish history to be selected all four years.
Although a sport often times dominated by individual honors, the Irish attempted to focus all of their efforts towards the good of the team. Regardless of individual honors, the scores matter from every member of the team as they all can contribute to a winning season.
"When it comes to competition, the better the individual is doing then the better the team is doing," said Brophy.
Brophy reflected on her contributions from an inexperienced rookie to a battle-tested veteran.
"There is no other kind of relationship like the one you share with your teammates," Brophy said, "And I consider myself very blessed to have been able to share my experience here with them."
