PELLA—A couple of close decisions didn't go their way and the Central College women's golf team dropped its semifinal match to Luther College 3-2 Saturday in the Battle at Bos.
           
The unique four-team match play event was staged at Central's home course, the demanding par-72 Bos Landen Golf Club.
           
Luther advances to Sunday's title match against Wartburg College, an easy 5-0 winner over Nebraska Wesleyan University. Central and Nebraska Wesleyan will meet for third place. Tee times start at noon.
           
The teams each played five singles matches. Central's Delaney Underwood (sophomore, Mitchellville, Colfax-Mingo HS) was a 2 and 1 winner at No. 2 while Peyton Bytnar (freshman, Bettendorf) prevailed 2 and 1 at No. 4. But Mackenzie Biggs (freshman, Bloomington, Ill., Normal HS) and Madison Clark (sophomore, Bloomington, Ill., Central Catholic HS) each pushed their matches to the final hole before falling 1 up at Nos. 1 and 5, respectively. Avery Woods (freshman, Long Grove, North Scott HS) was defeated 3 and 2 at No. 3.
           
While she couldn't rely on stroke play scores as a gauge, coach Tabitha Schumacher said her squad played well, noting that the No. 1 match between Biggs and Luther's Morgan Kranz was especially competitive.
           
"The matches were close," she said.  "In Morgan and Mackenzie's match they were on the back nine and had four holes in a row where one of them birdied the hole. So, yeah, it was getting intense. And I feel like that's what's exciting. It just brings the players to another level in their play."
           
The players were still adjusting to the format as the matches unfolded.
           
"It was just something new," Schumacher said. "But it was a lot of fun."
           
Sunday's matches complete the spring season for Central.
           
"It would have been nice to be in the championship but I'm still proud of them and I think we'll finish strong tomorrow," Schumacher said.