Coming off Saturday’s invitational at Henryville, Seymour’s girls golf team needed a strong start — despite getting little rest — with Columbus East coming to town Monday.

The Owls didn’t falter on Shadowood Golf Course’s back nine holes, besting their Hoosier Hills Conference foe 186-193.

“I thought the girls did really well,” Owls assistant coach Travis Thompson said. “It was important to come out and have a good start. I think we got to a good start. There were mistakes on the greens, but they’re getting a lot better. I feel really good about a 186.”

Sophomore Bridget Marshall led the Owls with a nine-over-par 45.

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Lily Shelp was medalist on the evening, scoring 44 for the Olympians.

The next three SHS golfers mirrored one another.

Senior Andrea Axsom, junior Madeline Wisler and sophomore Laken Waskom all carded 47s for the Owls.

Bailey Goben rounded-out the Owls five on varsity by shooting 50.

Thompson said it was good to see more scores below 50 in the No. 2 through No. 4 spots.

“We want to be in the 40s,” Thompson said. “There were a couple 8s, but it’s OK. We’re really getting better.”

With the HHC tournament at Jeffersonville coming up on Aug. 26, Thompson said the match should give the team confidence moving forward.

“Beating East is a good feeling, I know they have some good golfers,” Thompson said. “Beating a conference team at home says something to me. When we go up there, it will be tough up there. We will take the home advantage.”

Like most teams, the Owls will continue to work on their short game as they approach the second half of the season.

“I would like to see more two-putts,” Thompson said. “We had a lot of three putts tonight. It’s fine — it’s better than four putts.”

Tonight, the Owls will host HHC opponents Jennings County and Bedford North Lawrence in a tri-match.

SHS will then be off until Saturday, when they play in the Jasper Invitational.