Led by Jessica O’Brien’s (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton H.S.) lowest round of the season, Valparaiso is in eighth place after the first round of the Loyola Invitational held at Evanston Golf Club in Evanston, Ill. on Sunday.

“We played well today,” head coach Mike Higdon said.  “I’m happy that we were able to shoot the low mark of the season.  It is good momentum heading into the final few weeks.”

The Crusaders shot 374 as a team, its lowest in program history, and is just two shot behind seventh place IPFW heading into Monday’s final round at the 6,023-yard, par-73 course.  Western Illinois lead the team standings by nine shots over Butler after shooting 318.

O’Brien shot 88 in round one to pace the Brown and Gold, matching the best the freshman has shot as a collegian.  She is tied for 30th overall after shooting 40 on the back nine.

Kathleen Cooper (Hobart, Ind./Hobart H.S.) carded a 91 for the Crusaders while Annie Nolan (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso H.S.) added a 97.  Sarah Al-Momar (Sylvania, Ohio/Southview H.S.) also shot her season’s best on Sunday, posting a 98 for Valpo.

“Even though we played well, they all know they could have played even a little bit better, which is a positive that we are heading into the right direction as a team,” Higdon added.  “Hopefully we can pick up those couple of shots to catch IPFW tomorrow.”

Individually, Butler’s Michele Nash leads the tournament after shooting a one-over par 74.

Monday’s final round will begin at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start.