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RED WING, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University women's golf team kicked off its season on a winning note Thursday afternoon, and the Cardinals' dual-meet win over Macalester was a total team effort — literally.

In a golf five, count the best four format, the two teams were deadlocked at 371-371, meaning they had to go to the fifth score to break the tie, and Sarah Gustafson's (Esko, Minn.) round of 99 was four shot better than the Scots' No. 5 golfer, giving SMU the victory.

“It was a very good start for us,” said SMU coach Kevin Landrum. “It's always nice to get that first competitive round under your belt, and with a big tournament (the UW-Eau Claire Invitational) this weekend, it's nice for everyone to get in a round at a course other than Cedar Valley.”

Jenna Mrozinski (North St. Paul, Minn.) carded a career-best round of 89 to lead the way for the Cardinals, while Gia Puch (Des Plaines, Ill.), Lauren Ulbrich (Rochester, Minn.) and Rachel Lamberty (Farmington, Minn.) followed with scores of 93, 94 and 95, respectively.

“To have everyone who competed shoot under 100 is great, I'm not sure we've done that more than a couple times in the last four years,” said Landrum. “I was really happy for Jenna — she hits the ball so well, it was nice to see her put it all together.”

Macalester's Grace Caird toured the par-71 Mississippi National Golf Course layout in nine-over-par 80 to earn medalist honors.

The Cardinals return to action Saturday and Sunday, traveling to Eau Claire, Wis., for the UW-Eau Claire Invitational.