CORINTH, Texas — Led by a trio of sub-70 scorecards, the UTSA women’s golf team broke the school record for best team score and is in third place after the opening day of the Sam Golden Invitational, which teed off Monday at Oakmont Country Club (par 72/6,413 yards).
Daniela Abonce and Camryn Carreon each fired a 4-under-par 68 and Olivia Williams carded a 3-under 69 in the second round to help lead the Roadrunners to a 13-under 275, which eclipsed the program standard of 11-under 277 posted at the 2022 Paradise Invitational. UTSA also counted 2-under 70 from Morgan Ellison during the afternoon 18.
UTSA opened the day with a 6-under 282 and now sits at 19-under 557 through 36 holes, only one shot behind Nebraska (-20) and nine back of day-one leader Houston (-28). The Roadrunners have a two-stroke advantage over host North Texas and are three in front of a tie between Tulsa and Kennesaw State for fifth in the 12-team field.
Abonce turned in a 68 in each round today to match the school record for low 36-hole total of 8-under 136 established by Ana Gonzalez at the 2019 Conference USA Championship. The sophomore from Veracruz, Mexico, is tied for third in the individual race, two shots off the 10-under pace set by Houston’s Moa Svedenskiold.
Abonce opened her season by recording three birdies and an eagle on the 523-yard, par-5 13th hole en route to a 68 in the morning round. The third-team all-conference performer then matched that score by writing down three more birdies and an eagle on the other par-5 on the back nine, the 533-yard 15th.
Ellison also carded a 68 in the morning round after registering six birdies, three during a four-hole stretches on both sides. A native of Peachtree City, Georgia, she posted her 70 in round two behind five more birdies, including back-to-back on Nos. 2-3. She is tied for eighth with five other players at 6-under 138.
Carreon has a share of 28th at 2-under 142. The senior all-conference performer and 2023 NCAA San Antonio Regional champion bounced back from a 74 in the first round with her 68 that was headlined by an eagle on No. 15 and four birdies.
Maria Bastarrica made her UTSA debut with an even-par 72 that featured seven birdies. A freshman from San Sebastian, Spain, she logged a one-shot improvement in the afternoon round with a 71 that had three more birdies.
Williams rounds out the UTSA lineup in a tie for 58th. The sophomore from England countered a 79 in the opening 18 with a 69 that was highlighted by three birdies and an eagle on No. 13 en route to a 3-under 33 on the back.
The final round is scheduled for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start on Tuesday.
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