The Lions got off to a great start when they notched a second place finish to open the season at the Missouri Intercollegiate Invitational in Lake Ozarks, Mo.

 Day 1 was in full swing, but day 2 was canceled due to rain. The Lions were led by Senior Ryan Buerk who shot a team low 144 (70-74) on the course at The Club at Porto Cima. Buerk looked solid as he finished tied for fourth, shooting even par on the individual side.

Freshman standout Aaron Shoemaker shot a 148 (75-73) in his Lions debut. Shoemaker finished four over par, which was good enough for 12th place. Sophomore Tyler Lansford tallied a score of 149 (76-73).

Also making the trip were junior Ethan Hutcheson and freshman Connor Neil. Hutcheson finished with a two round total of 155 (83-72) and Neil rounded out the scoring for the Lions shooting a 165 (87-78).

The Lions finished second out of 13 teams, finishing ahead of MIAA schools Lindenwood, Missouri Western, Lincoln and Southwest Baptist.

The Lions also finished ahead of GLVC members William Jewell, Drury and Rockhurst.

Missouri Southern will be back in action Monday, Sept. 8, as they travel to Old Kinderhook Country Club in Camdenton, Mo. for an MIAA points event hosted by the Lincoln University Blue Tigers. The Lions look poised to establish themselves early as one of the teams to beat in the MIAA.