MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – The Carleton women's golf team is tied for second of five teams following the opening day of the St. Kates/Carleton Final Fling.  The Knights carded a cumulative total of 308 (+16) in the first round on Saturday, which was held at Rush Creek Golf Club.  Sunday's final round will be played at The Jewel Golf Club in Lake City, Minn.
 
Carleton was led by junior Carter Sichol, who took advantage of a beautiful afternoon on her way to a one-over-par 74.  The Winnetka, Ill., native opened the round two-under through seven holes and carded a pair of birdies on both the front and back nine.  She made the turn at even par before coming home with a one-over 38. She sits tied for second in the individual standings heading into tomorrow's final round.
 
First-year Anna Lee followed with a two-over par 75.  The Vernon Hills, Ill., native was one-under through her first five holes before bogeys on three of the final four on the front nine to make the turn at two-over.  A birdie and bogey on the back nine brought her home with an even-par 37 to stamp her final scoreboard with a 75.  Lee is tied for fifth on the individual leaderboard.
 
Sophomore Mindy Zhai came next with a three-over-par 76.  The Winter Gardens, Fla., native came out firing, opening her round with a birdie.  But four bogeys the rest of the front nine sent her to the turn with a three-over 39 before she opened the back nine with the highlight of the day for the Knights.  Zhai cracked the seal on the back nine with an eagle at the par-five 10th to bring her back to one-over-par before finishing the back side with an even-par 37 to place her in a three-way tie at three-over.
 
Senior Olivia Siebert was the next Knight on the card, tallying a 10-over-par 83 on the afternoon, while junior Cynthia Lu was the final representative in the lineup for the Maize and Blue with an 88 (+15). 
 
Juniors Sarah Zheng and Natalie Tatar are each competing as individuals in the tournament.  Zheng fired a one-over-par 74 to share second on the individual leaderboard with Sichol.  The Bolingbrook, Ill., native was two-over through the first five holes before finishing the round with a flawless back nine.  She collected eight pars and birdied the par-four 11th on her way to the 75.  Tatar opened her round with a birdie, one of three she would collect on the day on her way to a nine-over-par 83.
 
Up Next for the Knights
The Knights will be back in action tomorrow when they complete competition in the St. Kates/Carleton Final Fling.  Tomorrow's final round will be played at The Jewel Golf Club in Lake City, Minn., with the Maize and Blue set to tee off beginning at 12:15pm.