CRETE, Ill. – Lizzie Howard topped the field to lead the Olivet Nazarene University women's golf team to a runner-up finish at the 2025 CCAC Women's Golf Championship played Wednesday and Thursday at Lincolnshire Country Club.

Howard took an early lead behind the tournament's best opening round and held on in the final round to claim individual medalist honors. The junior from Dunlap, Ill., opened with an 81 before slightly tapering off at 87 in the closing round, but it was enough to best the tournament's runner-up by three strokes.

Howard becomes the second consecutive individual conference champion for ONU, with Mara Bakke accomplishing the feat last season.

Her efforts put ONU in a great position to win the tournament altogether, with the Tigers building a large 14-stroke lead after Wednesday's opening round. But the defending champions, St. Ambrose, came roaring back, improving by 23 strokes in their closing round to rally for the victory with a winning score of 695 (359-336)..

The Tigers finished 14 strokes back from the repeat champions to place runner-up, opening the tournament with a 345 before tapering off at 364 for a 709. CCAC newcomers Viterbo placed third (740), with Holy Cross two strokes back in fourth (742). Saint Xavier finished fifth (827).

Bella Rosado nearly missed the all-tournament team, carding rounds of 86 and 91 for a 177 to earn sole possession of seventh place. Mya Jones added another top-10 finish for ONU, firing an 89 and a 91 to place 10th overall. Taylor Ice rounded out the ONU scoring in 16th with a 187 (89-98). Amelia Birge was a few strokes back in 22nd place.

--ONU—

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu