SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's golf team carded a team round of 342 to sit in third place out of four teams after day one of the Union Fall Invitational, held on Saturday at Mohawk Golf Club.
 
The Garnet Chargers head into Sunday's second round four shots back of SUNY Cortland in second place and four shots ahead of Vassar College in fourth. Ithaca College is the leader at the midway point with a round of 319, 18 strokes ahead of Cortland.
 
Junior Iyene Essien was Union's top scorer on day one, shooting a nine-over 82 on the par-73 course. Her 11 pars on the day were tied for the most in the field after 18 holes as part of a very steady round that saw only one hole finish higher than a bogey.
 
Junior Carinna Anastasio and first-year Casey Mack are tied for 10th after Saturday's first day after carding dual rounds of 85. Anastasio finished strong with a back-nine 39 for Union's best nine-hole score of the day, using seven pars and one bogey to steady her round. Mack posted a 42 on the front nine and had only two double bogies as her worst holes of the afternoon.
 
Sophomore Emma Doherty finished Saturday in 17th place after a round of 85. She was one of only three players to play the par-threes at even-par or better on the day, carding a three on all three of the course's shortest holes. Classmate Claire Giletta finished two shots back with a 92 on day one.
 
Playing as individuals, first-year NaNa Simpson shot a 95 and junior Ella Golas finished with a 96.
 
The teams will return to the course tomorrow for the second day of the Union Fall Invitational beginning at 10 a.m.