HARTFORD, Wis. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's golf team could not have gotten off to a better start during the opening round of the Wisconsin Lutheran Invitational—the Cardinals' final tune-up before next weekend's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships.
 
The Cardinals—fueled by Hunter Rau's (Plainview, Minn.) one-over-par 73 and Juan Sanchez's (Bogota, Colombia) three-over 75—shot a season-best 302 to grab a one-shot lead heading into the second and final round of the 16-team tournament.
 
Along with Rau's season-best 73 and Sanchez's 75, the Cardinals also got a four-over 76 from Kyle Brodt (Roseville, Minn.), and a 78 from Bryce Galewski (Winona, Minn.). Brett Jackson (Edmonton, Alberta) rounded out the Cardinals' top five, shooting a seven-over 79, while Bobby McNaney (Mendota Heights, Minn.) and Blair Sanders (Lee's Summit, Mo.), playing as individuals, finished with 83 and 87, respectively.
 
Saint Mary's heads into Monday's second round of the 36-hole tournament at the Washington County Golf Course protecting a one-shot lead over Carthage, while Edgewood and Lake Forest are five shots back, and Benedictine rounds out the top five seven shots off the pace.
 
Edgewood's Zach Hentrich grabbed first-day medalist honors with an even-par 72, one shot in front of five other players, including Rau.