By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
BECKER, Minn. — Celeste Van Klein (Lake City, Minn.) carded an opening-round 90 — just three strokes off her career best — to lead the way for the Saint Mary's University women's golf team during Saturday's first day of the 54-hole Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships.
 
St. Catherine holds the opening-day lead following a 312 over the par-72 Pebble Creek Golf Club layout. The Wildcats hold a three-shot lead over Bethel, with St. Thomas just seven shots back. Saint Benedict (323) and Carleton (327) rounded out he top five, with the Cardinals sitting 10th following a first-day 390.
 
Along with Van Klein's 90, the Cardinals also got a 95 from Madyson Ulrey (North Manchester, Ind.), a 99 from Jessica Massimo (Kenosha, Wis.), and a 106 from Cassie Sepp (Duluth, Minn.).
 
Carleton's Alyssa Akiyma grabbed medalist honors after the first round, shooting a one-over-par 73 for a one-shot lead over Cayla Kim of St. Thomas and a two-shot cushion over Sydney Brandt of St. Catherine and Saint Benedict's Emily Olson.
 
The second-round of the three-day tournament kicks off Sunday morning at Becker Golf Club in Becker, Minn.