Hamilton, NY – The Villanova Wildcats golf team is tied for ninth place after the first 36 holes of the Alex Lagowitz Invitational at Seven Oaks Golf Course at Colgate University. The Wildcats shot a combined 15-over in the first round and were tied for 11th, but settled in to fire a 5-over 293 second round and move up two spots on the leaderboard.
 
The Wildcats were led through the first two rounds by sophomore Noah Peck, who shot 75-70 and is tied for ninth individually at 1-over. Peck's 2-under second round featured two birdies and an eagle on the par-5 7^th.
 
Sophomore Jack O'Hara had a steady day and led the Wildcats through round one shooting an even-par 72. He followed it up with a 2-over 74. O'Hara had five birdies through two rounds and is currently tied for 14^th at 2-over.
 
It took freshman Matt Minerva a round to settle into his collegiate career. Minerva shot a 7-over in his first round, but bounced back in a big way with 1-under 71 in the second round, which included three birdies.
 
Danny Dougherty rounded out the scoring shooting 77-78. Mark Benevento struggled in his first day of the season, shooting 80-78.
 
The third and final round of the tournament will begin Sunday morning with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Villanova will be paired with Bucknell and Rider for the final round.