CHESTERTON, Ind. (April 15, 2019) – Led by strong efforts from senior Elayna Bowser, junior Morgan Brown and freshman Lorenza Martinez, the Loyola University Chicago women's golf team finds itself in the thick of the race for the team championship following the opening day of the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship in Chesterton, Ind.
 
The Ramblers carded consecutive rounds of 304 en route to a 608 (304-304) that has them tied with Bradley (305-303=608) for fourth place.  Both members of the duo are just a shot back of Missouri State (301-306=607) for third and 10 strokes off the pace being set by Drake, which tops the team leaderboard at 598 (301-297).  Indiana State's Thilda Staubo (73-73) and UNI's Sydney Eaton (72-74) lead the chase for individual medalist honors after each turned in a two-over-par 146.
 
"We played great team golf today," Loyola head women's golf coach Carly Werwie commented.  "Everyone had an impact on our overall score.  We had a great mindset throughout the day and didn't let a bad shot linger.  It was fun to see the birdies we were making and to play how I know we are capable of."
 
Bowser, who entered play at the Sand Creek Country Club (par 72, 6,084 yards) with The Valley's top stroke average, finds herself as part of a three-way tie for fifth after firing a three-over-par 148 (75-73).  The Dearborn, Mich. product played a red-hot two-under-par front nine during the day's second round en route to battling her way within just two shots of the lead.
 
Martinez posted the low 18-hole score for a Rambler today in the event's opening round.  Just over a week removed from carding a season-best 71 at the Indiana State Spring Invitational, the Menomonee Falls, Wis. native recorded an even-par round of 72 as she went on to close the day tied for 11^th at 151 (72-79).  Brown continued her strong finish to the year, besting her week-old season-low of 76 by shooting a three-over-par 75 that moved her into a tie for 19^th with a 153 (78-75).
 
Freshman Jenny Myslinski bounced back from a first-round 82 by racking up four birdies as part of an afternoon 77 that brought her total to 159 (82-77), which has her for 36^th.  Myslinski finished the day with six birdies, sharing the team lead in the category with Bowser.  Sophomore Abbey Meyers fell just two strokes shy of equaling the best round of her collegiate career as she tallied a 79 in her first round of the day.  Meyers is currently tied for 43^rd at 164 (79-85).
 
"Our team has a lot of potential and I truly feel we are starting to see it show," Werwie concluded.  "It's exciting to see that we've put ourselves in a good position for tomorrow.  We're looking forward to keeping the same mindset and having fun while we're out there."
 
Final-round play at the 2019 Missouri Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.