EDINA, Minn. — The Carleton women's golf team made history Saturday afternoon in the opening round of the MIAC Women's Golf Championships at Braemar Golf Course, posting both the lowest single-round team score in tournament history and the first individual round in the 60s by a Knight, carded by senior standout Carter Sichol.

Carleton surged to the top of the leaderboard with a team total of 292 (+4), setting a new MIAC Championships record. All five Knights currently sit among the top-12 on the individual leaderboard, including four in the top-10 and three in the top five.  Carleton holds a 16-shot lead over second-place Macalester heading into Sunday's second round.

Sichol etched her name into the record books by firing a 3-under-par 69, the first round in the 60s by a Carleton player at the MIAC Championships. The senior was on fire Saturday, carding seven birdies and an eagle to fuel the milestone performance and put her atop the individual leaderboard.

First-year Kate Yi also impressed with a 1-under 71.  Yi's round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-five fourth hole, part of a three-under 33 on the front nine.  She finished the round with three birdies in addition to the eagle to tie for second following the opening round. 

Junior Mindy Zhai carded a steady 74 (+2) to sit in fourth place individually, giving Carleton three golfers inside the top four.  Zhai came out strong with birdies on three of her opening six holes.  She made the turn at one-under before a back-nine 39 (+3) gave her the 74. 

Senior Cynthia Lu added a 78 (+6), good for a share of seventh.  Lu tallied five birdies, including a string of three straight on the front nine.  The Redmond, Wash., native birdied the fourth, fifth, and sixth holes to highlight her opening round. 

Senior Sarah Zheng rounded out the lineup with an 81 (+9), tied for 12th. Zheng finished strong, carding a pair of birdies over her final five holes.  All five Knights placed inside the top 12 of the 48-player field.

Play continues Sunday with the second round of the three-day championship event.