Valparaiso began its final tournament of the 2009 fall season on Monday, shooting a team score of 394 at the Dayton Fall Invitational held on the NEC North Course in Kettering, Ohio.

Cincinnati leads the tournament shooting 317 on day one of the 36-hole event over the par-70 layout.

Jessica O’Brien (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) led the Crusaders on day one shooting 93 while Annie Nolan (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso H.S.) added a 96.

“I was really was proud of Jess for stepping up and leading the team today,” head coach Mike Higdon said after the round.

Kathleen Cooper (Hobart, Ind./Hobart H.S.) carded a 98 for the Brown and Gold while Sarah Al-Momar (Sylvania, Ohio/Southview H.S.) shot 107.  Kadie Savoree (Paris, Ill./Paris H.S.) rounded out the Crusader lineup with a 123.

“We left a few shots out there today,” Higdon added.  “Hopefully we can build off of this and lower our score tomorrow.”

Valparaiso will return to the links for the final time this fall on Tuesday morning for the second and final round of the tournament.  The shotgun start begins at 9 a.m. CDT.