GALESBURG, Ill. - Illinois College strengthened its lead at the 2006 Midwest Conference Women's Golf Championship at Soangetaha Country Club in Galesburg, Ill., Saturday. The Lady Blues, looking for a fourth consecutive conference crown, shot a combined 347 for a two-day total of 692 and a 65-stroke lead over Grinnell (384-373-757). The rest of the field is bunched with St. Norbert College in third place with a 761 (400-361), Monmouth in fourth with a 763 (379-384), Ripon College in fifth with a 766 (386-380), Carroll College in sixth with a 776 (396-380) and host Knox College in seventh with a 779 (384-395).

Three-time defending conference champion Carey Cappel (Illinois College) shot an 85 after an opening-round 86 Friday for a 171 total, but still trails teammate Kristen Schmalz heading into Sunday's final round. Schmalz carded an 87 after opening play with an 81 to sit at a 168, three shots ahead of Cappel. Cappel is looking to become the second golfer in league history to win individual medalist honors at all four league championships in her career, joining Grinnell's Hilary Minnick (1998-2001).

St. Norbert's Andrea Liebelt matched Schmalz for the low round of the tournament with an 81. She sits in third place with a 173 (92-81). Knox College's Ashton Heath is in fourth place (87-88-175).

Sunday's final round tees off at 10 a.m.