WOODBURY, Minn. – The No. 21-ranked Carleton College women's golf team sits atop the 16-team standings after the first round of play at the St. Catherine Invitational.
 
On Saturday, the Knights posted a team score of 303, two strokes ahead of tournament host and No. 8-ranked St. Catherine University. No. 23 Bethel University is in third place after turning in a team score of 311.
 
Sarah Zheng led Carleton in the first round with a one-over par 73, putting her in a three-way tie for second place. After making the turn at four over, she birdied three of her next four holes and played the back nine at 3-under par.
 
Mindy Zhai is tied for sixth place after carding a 75 at Eagle Valley Golf Course. She played consistent throughout the day, accumulating 14 pars, tied for the highest total in the 71-player field.
 
Cynthia Lu also sits inside the top-10, signing a scorecard with a total of 76 shots (+4) to tie for eighth place after birdies on No. 2 and No. 17.
 
Olivia Siebert was a late addition to the Carleton lineup, and she responded with a 79 (+7). After a slow start to the round, she parred 11 of her last 12 holes.
 
Natalie Tatar wrapped up the first day with a score of 80 (+8), one shot in front of Taylor Kang, who played as an individual entrant.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton's tee times for Sunday's final round begin at 11:00 a.m.