DES MOINES, Iowa (September 30, 2019) – Paced by a balanced showing from sophomore Nate Vance, the Loyola University Chicago men's golf team finds itself atop the team leaderboard following the opening two rounds of the Zach Johnson Invitational in Des Moines, Iowa.
 
The Ramblers posted a 36-hole team tally of 601 today to take the lead in the race for the team title at the par-71, 6,898-yard course at the Glen Oaks Country Club.  Creighton (304-299=603) and Valparaiso (295-308=603) are tied for second, two shots back of the Maroon & Gold.
 
Vance continued his impressive fall today in Iowa's state capital.  Playing less than an hour from his native Marshalltown, Iowa, the sophomore carded back-to-back even-par rounds of 71 to close the first day of play at 142 (71-71).  He holds a two-shot edge over Creighton's Nate Vontz (73-71) and Valparaiso's Caleb VanArragon (69-75), who both recorded scores of 144.
 
The freshman tandem of Zach Walsh and Timmy Crawford each turned in strong second-round efforts to move into a tie for 22^nd at 153 heading into Tuesday's final round.  Walsh (79-74) carded a three-over-par 74, while Crawford (77-76) turned in a five-over-par 76.
 
Junior Devin Johnson opened his day with a two-over-par 73 en route to a 156 (73-83) that has him tied for 33^rd.  Fellow junior Tyler Anderson rounded out the Rambler starting five today with a 161 (81-80) that his him sitting tied for 50^th.  Freshman Nolan Doherty, who is competing as an individual, is in 75^th after he wrapped up the day with a 189 (101-88).
 
Final-round play at the Zach Johnson Invitational is scheduled to begin with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start on Tuesday morning.