LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – The Southwest Minnesota State University women's golf team opened the spring portion of its 2021-22 season on Monday shooting a 44-over-par 328 in the first round of the 12-team SMSU Spring Invitational played at the par 71, 5,702-yard Wigwam Blue Golf Course.
 
Nebraska-Kearney shot a 24-over 308 and is the first-round leader holding a 16-shot advantage over three teams. SMSU is currently in fifth place, but trail second place UC-Colorado Springs, Missouri Western State and Northwest Missouri State by just four shots. UNK's Faviola Gonzalez and Paige Lucero are the individual leaders after carding rounds of 4-over 75.
 
Sally Gallagher led the Mustangs with a team-low 7-over 78 and is currently tied for sixth in the 80-player field. She finished the round with three birdies and six pars.
 
Jacqueline Gossen and Ashley Trongard both carded rounds of 12-over 83 and are tied for 24^th. Gossen had a solid round with three birdies and seven pars and was just 6-over on 17 holes, but unfortunately suffered a 9 on the par 3 15^th hole. Trongard recorded a birdie and eight pars in her round.
 
Danielle Podoll is currently tied for 31^st following a round of 13-over 84, which featured one birdie and six pars, while Courtni Frank rounded out SMSU's team with a 14-over 85, which included a pair of birdies and four pars and is tied for 38^th.
 
SMSU had three individuals compete with Anneke Weg closing with a solid 11-over 82 with two birdies and three pars and did not have a hole higher than a bogey. She is currently in a tied for 18^th overall. Lauryn Driscoll had eight pars and shot a 15-over 86, while Sydney Noel had a pair of pars and closed with a 30-over 101.
 
The final round begins on Tuesday at 8:24 a.m. CST.