ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The No. 16 ranked Carleton College women's golf team sits 2nd of 10 teams after the opening round at the MIAC Championships.
 
No.9 St. Catherine University finished the first round at the St. Cloud Country Club with a 12-shot lead after posting a team score of 299 (+11). The Knights totaled 311 strokes (+23), while Bethel University was third at 315 (+27) and Macalester College (+33) rounded out the top four at 321.
 
"The women played very solid today," said Carleton head coach Sloan Wallgren. "We left a few shots and putts out there today. The team is excited to improve our performance tomorrow."
 
Cynthia Lu got off to a great start with birdies on four of the first seven holes. She concluded the first day in a tie for fourth place with a 4-over par 76.
 
Carter Sichol Is tied for seventh place at 77 (+5) after carding 13 pars and no birdies.
 
Anna Lee's lone birdie came on the first hole. She is tied for ninth at 6-over par (78).
 
Sarah Zheng was 1-over at the turn but struggled at times on the back nine and reached the clubhouse at 8-over par (80), good for a tie for 14th place.
 
Mindy Zhai started the day with an eagle. She added a birdie on No. 9 and wrapped an up-and-down round at 11-over par (83), good for a tie for 24th in the 48-player field.
 
Up Next for the Knights
As they did on Saturday, Carleton will play alongside St. Catherine and Bethel during Sunday's second round, with tee times beginning at 11:39 a.m.