Posted: Oct 05, 2012

Gaffney takes lead, Simpson moves up after IIAC third round

PELLA, Iowa – Jennifer Gaffney carded an 84 to move into first place on a cold, windy day at Bos Landen Golf Course and the Simpson women's golf team climbed up the team standings in the third round of the Iowa Conference Championship on Friday.

Gaffney (72-82-84-238) submitted the third lowest score of the day, moving into first place after 54 holes. She will go into Saturday's final round leading Wartburg's Samantha Heinen (29-25-85-239) by one stroke as she tries to become Simpson's first medalist since Janelle Claiborne in 2004.

Wartburg owns a comfortable lead in the team race, carding the low round of the day with 347. The Knights sit at 966 (307-312-347-966).

Simpson (328-347-364-1039) came into the day in fifth place, but moved up a spot with the day's second-lowest team score. The Storm lead Loras (334-331-375-1040) by a shot and trail third-place Central (332-331-365-1028) by 11. Luther (317-318-374-1009) is second.

"I'm extremely proud of the girls with how mentally tough they were in adverse conditions," head coach Noel Knock said. "They all showed a great deal of support for each other and kept their heads in their rounds the whole time."

Stacy Bergeson shot a 92 on Friday and sits four shots out of all-conference contention going into Saturday. Bergeson (76-84-92-252) is in 12^th place and leads Lauren Gonner of Loras by four shots.

Jessica Lerdal (89-95-91-275) turned in Simpson's second-best score of the day and is in 22^nd place.

Kiley Wermersen (91-91-97-279) is tied for 23^rd and Molly Hill (94-90-98-282) is in 26^th.

"Our goal for tomorrow is to move into third and I am very hopeful and encouraged we will reach that goal," Knock said.

The championship concludes Saturday with a final 18 holes at Bos Landen. Players from Coe and Buena Vista will tee off in the first wave, followed by golfers from Simpson, Loras and Dubuque. Players from wartburg, Luther and Central will make up the final wave. Players will be ordered within their team by their 54-hole score.