LAKE ELMO, Minn. – The No. 21-ranked Carleton College women's golf team improved three spots in the standings on Day 2 of the MIAC Championships, taking over second place out of 10 programs at the tournament.
 
No. 8 St. Catherine University continues to hold down the top spot on the leaderboard after totaling 312 shots on Sunday. The Wildcats' 36-hole total of 619 (307-312) allows them to carry a 24-stroke lead into Monday's final round.
 
Carleton posted a score of 313 during the second round—second best on the day—and has a team total of 643 (330-313) heading into Monday. The Knights leapfrogged No. 23 Bethel University (320-327=647), Macalester College (326-335=661), and Saint Benedict (328-341=369) on Sunday.
 
Carleton's second-round surge was led by first-year Mindy Zhai, who rocketed an amazing 19 spots up the individual leaderboard. Her score of 75 (+3) was best among the 50-player field on Sunday. Thanks to three birdies during the second round. Zhai is tied for 15th place at 164 (+20) with 18 holes left to play.
 
Sarah Zheng jumped nine spots on Sunday, moving into a tie for ninth place after a birdie on the final hole. She posted a score of 78, which along with her opening-round 82 leaves her at 16-over par (160).
 
Carter Sichol will enter the final round in a tie for second place, one shot behind overall leader Grace Petzold of St. Catherine. Sichol (75-78=153, +9) had back-to-back birdies early on Sunday and finished the day with a score of 78.
 
Natalie Tatar improved two spots after posting scores of 84 and 82 in the first two rounds. She is now tied for 20th at 22-over par (166).
 
Like her teammates, Cynthia Lu also improved her placement in the standings during the second round. She is now tied for 30th (90-84=174, +30).
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will play alongside St. Catherine and Bethel in Monday's final round with tee times starting at 9:20 a.m.