In its final outing before the MAC Championship on April 28, men’s golf struggled to keep pace with a field of Midwest opponents at the Boilermaker Invitational on Saturday and Sunday in West Lafayette, Ind.

The Kampen Course proved to be a tough test for the Huskies as they finished near the bottom of the leaderboard at 33 over-par (295-300-302).

“It’s a big golf course, lots of hazards, water and fescue,” said head coach Tom Porten, according to a Thursday Northern Star article. “It’s a really good test of golf.”

Porten said his team put itself in tough situations and had a difficult time managing the challenging golf course.

“We were in damage-control mode most of day,” Porten said. “The golf course had a stretch where you have to take advantage and make birdies, and we did not capitalize.”

NIU was led by a five-over-par showing from senior Jordan Wetsch (72-76-73), who posted a 31st place individual finish in a field of 84 players.

“We are really pleased with [Wetsch’s] consistency the last two tournaments,” Porten said. “It’s good to see him rounding into shape heading into the MAC.”

The Huskies will have a week off to prepare for the MAC Championship which will be held at the Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, OH. The NCAA Regionals will begin on May 16.