In the opening round of the Conference USA Women’s Golf Tournament the SMU women are putting up a good fight.

The Mustangs are currently tied for first along with UTEP. But the top six teams are separated by only seven shots in a tight competition.

Last year’s second place finish was the best performance in a conference tournament since 1992. The Mustangs are doing it without two of their top players.

Senior Laura Cross continues to be out of the lineup and junior Lacey Jones is out for the week due to a foot injury. Both Cross and Jones are All-Conference USA golfers and a strong part of the Mustangs’ roster.

Stepping up for SMU were Kate and Jennifer Ackerson.

Kate Ackerson, a sophomore, is tied for second with a first-round score of 73. Jennifer Ackerson, a senior, is tied for seventh with a score of 77. Jennifer Ackerson is tied for seventh with teammate Ashley Deatherage, posting one of her best scores of the season.

Kristina Rothengatter, with an 81 and Sarah Dodson with an 89 in the first day finished off the roster for the Mustangs.

The Mustangs will complete the C-USA Tournament today.