Day #1 Results (.pdf) I Day #2 Tee Times (.pdf)

KELLER, Texas - If the IUPUI women's golf team is destined to capture the program's first-ever Summit League title, the Jaguars will have to do so in come-from-behind fashion. The Jaguars notched an opening round 330 at Sky Creek Ranch on Monday (Apr. 22) and is 23 shots back of leader North Dakota State through 18 holes.

NDSU carded a 307 and Kansas City is second at 315. Omaha (322), IUPUI (330) and Oakland (336) are the top five heading into Tuesday's play.

"We knew the course was difficult, but it was difficult for everyone," IUPUI Head Coach John Andrews said. "We shot 330, that's what it was. We just need to play better."

Junior Ana Fernandez de Mesa paced the Jaguars with a 5-over 77 on Monday and is tied for fifth among the 45-player field. The Second Team All-Summit Leaguer was three-over through 16 holes before finishing her round with back-to-back bogeys.

"Ana's not very happy with how she finished," Andrews said. "I don't think she was very pleased at all with how she finished. She played well, she just needs to close it out better."

The rest of the Jaguars' lineup struggled keeping big numbers off their scorecards during round one.

Senior Lauren Kuss had an efficient 3-over 39 on the front nine, but saw a pair of double bogeys derail her back nine en route to an 8-over 80. She's tied for 12th after one round.

"I thought early on, Kuss had it," Andrews said. "I saw her hit a couple shots and I thought for sure, she had it today. She looked comfortable and looked confident when I saw her."

Classmate Jordan Woods made a pair of birdies on the back nine, but had two triple bogeys to go along with a double bogey to finish at 84.

Senior Jordan Essman turned in an 89 and Yuri Otsuka struggled from the outset and finished the day with a 93, marking her worst round of her career.

Andrews is hoping to play leapfrog with a couple foes and to begin closing the gap with North Dakota State on Tuesday.

"We've got to pass those other two teams and cut the deficit with North Dakota State tomorrow," Andrews said. "If we're going to have any chance of winning it, that's what we need to do."

IUPUI is slated for a 9:45 Eastern start while being teamed with Oakland and Western Illinois.

Team Standings
1. North Dakota State - 307 (+19)
2. Kansas City - 315 (+27)
3. Omaha - 322 (+34)
4. IUPUI - 330 (+42)
5. Oakland - 336 (+48)
6. Western Illinois - 340 (+52)
t-7. Fort Wayne - 345 (+57)
t-7. South Dakota State - 345 (+57)
9. South Dakota - 355 (+67)

Player Standings
t-5. Ana Fernandez de Mesa - 77 (+5)
t-12. Lauren Kuss - 80 (+8)
t-21. Jordan Woods - 84 (+12)
t-32. Jordan Essman - 89 (+17)
t-38. Yuri Otsuka - 93 (+21)