HASTINGS, Minn. – The Carleton women's golf team is tied for the lead in a four-team field following the opening day of the Carleton Fall Invite.  The Knights combined for a 31-over-par 323 at the par-73 Bellwood Oaks Golf Course in Hastings. 
 
Senior Carter Sichol is also tied for the lead on the individual leaderboard after carding a five-over-par 78 on Saturday.  The Winnetka, Ill., native carded four birdies on her round, including a pair on each nine-hole stretch.  Sichol went out in a two-over 38 on the front nine before coming back in with a three-over 40 on the back. 
 
Fellow senior Cynthia Lu sits right behind Sichol in a tie for fourth after putting up a six-over-par 79.  The highlight of Lu's round came on the 433-yard par-5 14th hole.  Sitting at five-over, Lu eagled the 14th to catapult her up the leaderboard, gaining two strokes back on the field.  The eagle helped her finish strong, coming in with a back-nine two-over 39.
 
She is tied with junior teammate Mindy Zhai, who is playing as an individual this weekend.  Zhai was consistent on the scorecard with 12 pars and no scores worse than a bogey.  The Winter Garden, Fla., native started strong with a front-nine 38 (+2) before finishing with a back-nine 41 (+4).
 
Senior Sarah Zheng stands alone in ninth following a nine-over-par 82.  Zheng started hot, opening the round one-under-par through the opening seven holes, including three birdies.  But a pair of big numbers brought her score back to over-par territory to finish the opening round.
 
Sophomore Anna Lee sits one spot behind Zheng in 10th following an opening round score of 84 (+11).  Lee, who is also playing as an individual this weekend, shot a 39 (+3) on the front nine.  She is tied with first-year Kate Yi, who made her collegiate debut with a matching 84 (+11).  Yi highlighted her round with a birdie on the par-four eighth hole before settling in and playing the back nine in a four-over-par 41. 
 
Senior Natalie Tater was one-under-par through six holes thanks to a pair of birdies.  But the Denver, Colo., native could not keep it going as she went on to finish with a 14-over-par 87. 
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will compete in the second and final round of the Carleton Fall Invitational tomorrow at Legacy Golf Club in Faribault, Minn.  The Knights are set to tee off at 9:09am.