LAKE ELMO, Minn. – The No. 21-ranked Carleton College women's golf team stumbled a bit on Day 1 of the MIAC Championships as the defending champions ended the day in fifth place.
 
The Knights posted a team score of 330 (+42) at the Royal Golf Club, while tournament leader No. 8-ranked St. Catherine finished at 307 (+19). No. 23 Bethel is second at 320 followed by Macalester (326) and Saint Benedict (328) in the 10-team field.
 
Carter Sichol returned to the lineup and sits in a tie for second place after carding a 75 (+3). Her round included 16 pars, the highest total in the 50-player field.
 
Sarah Zheng and Cynthia Lu collected a team-best three birdies on the day, the second-highest total on Day 1. Unfortunately, their up-and-down opening rounds resulted in scores of 82 (+10) and 90 (+18), respectively. Zheng is tied for 18th place.
 
Natalie Tatar finished at 84 (+12) in the opening round, tied for 22nd place, while Mindy Zhai carded an 89 (+17) to round out the Knights scoring.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will look to bounce back and close the gap on the leaders when they tee off at 11:30 a.m. for Sunday's second round. The conference meet concludes on Monday, Oct. 9.