KENDALLVILLE – Scratch the first goal off the list for the NorthWood Panthers. The girls golf outfit used a complete team effort Saturday to win the East Noble Invitational, having to win a playoff hole to escape DeKalb.

The Panthers, ranked No. 18 in the first IHSGCA poll, were deadlocked with No. 15 DeKalb after 18 holes at 341. With both fifth-man scores at 96, the teams each had to head back out to the 10th tee at Noble Hawk. With a chance to get a sneak peak of a potential regional scenario on the course of September’s regional tournament, NorthWood’s four shot a one-under on the playoff hole while DeKalb was one-over.

Playing five tournaments in the first week of the season, NorthWood wins its first after taking second at the Leo Invite on Thursday. The Panthers also got to see a sneak peak of four Northern Lakes Conference teams, the closest Warsaw and Concord both at 393. Plymouth (472) and Goshen (473) were also in the 11-team field.

Mackenzie Weaver continues to lead the squad in the early going, shooting an 81. Madison Richner shot an 83 Makenna Gall had an 88 and Abby Slabaugh an 89 for the Panthers. Kylee Gall shot the all-important 96 as the fifth score.

DeKalb’s Lexy Stuckey led the Barons with an 80, tied with Amara Eckert of Huntington North for medalist honors.

Warsaw had three golfers under 100, led by Delaney Wihebrink at 92. Izzy Ray came in at 96 and Grayson Kilburn at 97, Madelyn Ray the fourth score at 108. Miriam Hagg shot 111 for the Tigers.

NorthWood and Warsaw both continue on the invitational circuit Monday at the Fort Wayne Canterbury Invite at Chestnut Hills.