WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – After 36-holes on the par-72, 7,287-yard course at the National Preview at Orange County Golf Course in Winter Garden, FL., your Saint Leo men's golf team is clinging to a fourth-place spot after opening up the Cougar Invitational with a 578 (+2) for two rounds.

The National Preview, which is hosted by the NCAA, features the nine teams in the Sunshine State Conference, three inside the top-20 and two in the top-10. The Green and Gold of Saint Leo come in at number ten for the Division II Preseason Polls.

The Lions opened play with a 292 (+4) before shaving 6-strokes off the second 18 for a 286 (-2) to end Monday's rounds with a total of 578 (-2). Saint Leo is currently two strokes ahead of fifth place, Barry University (580), seven ahead of University of Tampa (585), and 12 ahead of Palm Beach Atlantic (590).

Coker University was able to jump two spots up, and is sitting ahead of Nova Southeastern by one strokes, 573-574, for the tops of the leader board.

Out of 52 golfers in the field, The Lions have three of the six inside the top-20, led by Mathieu Lafontaine tied in fourth place at two-under-par 142.

Nicklas Illi heads into Tuesday's final 18 at one-over 145 after a 76-69 for his first two rounds where he currently sits in a tie in 10th place. Also tied for 10th is Jake Nash who jumped up four spots currently sitting at one-over 145 as well. Enzo Barbaglia, Alex Heck and Carl Gustin are all tied for 30th at five over to round out day one.

4th – Saint Leo – 292-286 – 578 (+2)
T4 – Mathieu Lafontaine – 72-70 – 142 (-2)
T10 – Nicklas Illi – 76-69 – 145 (+1)
T10 – Jake Nash – 73-72 – 145 (+1)
T30 - +Enzo Barbaglia – 76-73 – 149 (+5)
T30 – Alex Heck - 74-75 - 149 (+5)
T30 – Carl Gustin – 73-76 – 149 (+5)
+ - playing as an individual

Saint Leo will close out play at the Division II National Preview Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Orange County National CC.

For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo Men's golf, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.