Stevenson sophomores Campbell Ray and Ava Alimissis each missed chemistry and math tests on Wednesday.

But they had an airtight excuse: The pair of Patriots had to compete at the North Suburban Conference girls golf tournament at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein.

Birdies before beakers and bar graphs, but only for a day.

They then aced the outdoor exam in gorgeous fall conditions, carding 1-over 73s to tie for first place before Ray — 10th at last year’s Class 2A state meet — edged her teammate for medalist honors with a birdie on the playoff hole.

“We hugged it out before and after playing the playoff,” said Ray, who birdied 6 holes to Alimissis’ 3 before their second go at Prairie course’s 18th hole.

Scores of embraces with others in Patriot Nation ensued because Stevenson had captured its eighth straight NSC title with a dandy aggregate of 295, or 45 shots better than runner-up Lake Forest’s total.

Rounds from Stevenson senior Allyson Duan (74, third place) and freshman Lily Wang (75, fourth) also counted toward the victors’ final result.

“Practice hard, achieve success,” Patriots coach Emma Degen said of her club’s formidable formula. “Success becomes contagious. Work hard, play hard.

“Win things,” she added.

Stevenson junior Sophia Joeng (15th at state last fall) and sophomore teammate Victoria Shao tied for fifth place with 76s, and Pats freshman Emma Fiocchi shot an eighth-place 79.

“Ups and downs,” Ray said of her round, adding Countryside played pretty short. “The greens were challenging and different, meaning we all had to adjust. After my down holes, I stayed up by thinking, “OK, let’s make a birdie on the next hole.’”

The key to Alimissis’ sharp round was her start. She went par-birdie on holes 1 and 2.

“That beginning,” she said, “gave me confidence for the rest of the day.”

Lake Forest (340), Lake Zurich (341) and Libertyville (343) finished 2-4 in a taut battle for second place at the 6-team meet. Warren (428) and Mundelein (446) took fifth and sixth, respectively.

Lake Zurich senior Maddie Michalak finished seventh with a 78, 2 shots ahead of Libertyville freshman Kenzie Christie.

“Maddie doesn’t let things bother her,” said Bears coach Michael Buhr, who also received solid scores from senior Jeanne Yu (83) and junior Brittany Radtke (89). “Our season has been one of ups and downs, but today the girls decided to go out there and shoot pretty well.”

Libertyville senior Jozie Mitran hadn’t struck a competitive golf shot when she opted to give the sport a try as a sophomore. The daughter of Highland Park boys golf coach Flo Mitran, Jozie — a former lacrosse player with an extensive background in dance — carded a round in the low 100s in her varsity debut two years ago.

She toured Countryside GC in 84 on Wednesday.

“How about that?” Wildcats coach Greg Pedersen said. “She’s a natural athlete.”

“I went out for golf because I’d spent so much time driving around in a cart with my dad when I was younger,” said Mitran, who shot a career-low 82 at an invite on Aug. 23. “The course today was pretty easy, with little water. I hit my drives well and reached a lot of greens in reg, but next time out (Oct. 1, at a regional meet), my plan will be, ‘No more three-putt holes.’”

All-NSC girls golfers will be recognized at a later date. NSC Sportsmanship Award winners were named after Wednesday’s tournament. Among the honorees: Lake Zurich’s Carly Watt; Libertyville’s Mitran, Mundelein’s Abby Altergott, Warren’s Tessa Youngman, and Stevenson’s Duan.

“Allyson Duan,” Degen said, “embodies what our program looks for in a player. She continues to show our young players what it means to be a Stevenson golfer.”

Chips & Gimmes: Antioch softball coach Anthony Rocco also serves as Waukegan’s girls golf coach. He guided the Sequoits to Class 3A state softball finishes of third, second and second from 2022-24 … Libertyville coach Pedersen, on Wildcats freshman Christie: “She can rip the ball, and the job she does around the greens is impeccable.” … Libertyville senior Sophia Cesnovar chipped in with a round of 86 on Wednesday, good for third among Wildcats. … Stevenson, third at state in 2023, begins its quest for more state hardware at the Glenbrook South girls golf regional on Oct. 1. Reigning Class 2A champion Glenbrook North also tees it up at Glenview Park Golf Club. … Lake Forest’s top golfer Wednesday was senior Sophie Portalatin (81, 10th place).

Lake Zurich’s Jeanne Yu tees off at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Stevenson’s Sophia Joeng drives from the 8th tee at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Warren’s Soly Colon tees off as a butterfly drifts into her swing at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Libertyville’s Sophia Cesnovar watches her drive at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Stevenson’s Campbell Ray tees off on #8 at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Libertyville’s Kenzie Christie drives at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Libertyville’s Kenzie Christie sets her ball on a slanted green at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Stevenson’s Campbell Ray lines up her putt as Libertyville’s Sophia Cesnovar watches at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Mundelein’s Audrey Smith hits from the fairway at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks

Stevenson’s Sophia Joeng watches her drive go right at the NSC girls golf championship at Countryside Golf Club in Mundelein on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
John Starks