Equestrian wins tiebreaker over UT-Martin

Friday, November 14

Dover, Del.

7:00 AM

South Dakota State University

UT-Martin

11/14/2014 6:25:00 PM | Equestrian

By: SDSU Sports Info

DOVER, Del. – The South Dakota State equestrian team fell into an early hole on Friday against UT-Martin at a meet in Dover, Del., but battled back to tie the meet at 10-10, and earn the win via the tiebreaker.

The Jackrabbits, who won the tiebreaker 1,577.5-1,562.75, improve to 4-4, while UT-Martin falls to 1-7 on the season.

“We had to ride strong in all events, which it makes it really hard to win after giving up so many points in the first event, but the girls never gave up, and I'm proud of that,” head coach Megan Rossiter said. “We need to start stronger tomorrow.”

The meet started with equitation on the flat, where the Jacks scored two of the five points, including an MOP ride from Marielle Golden, her first of the season, who scored an 86 to boost her record to 5-1. Jessica Andronowitz also picked up a win, as her opponent ultimately earned a disqualification after a miscue in warm-ups.

SDSU scored two of the five points over fences, with Alissa Greenwald's 82 and Jordan Goodall's 85 holding up in the end. Greenwald evens her record at 2-2, while Goodall improves to 2-5 on the season.

The Jacks took three points each in both western events, with Elizabeth Niewojna earning the lone western MOP with a 74 in horsemanship. Her second MOP of the season, and fourth for her career, puts her alone in second place for career horsemanship MOPs at SDSU.

Kelsey Swainston and Victoria Johnson scored the other two horsemanship points, both with a score of 73.5, which also ties a season-high for Johnson. Swainston improves to 4-2 on the season, while Johnson moves to 5-3.

Miranda Sullivan led the way for the Jacks in reining with a score of 74 to even her record at 2-2. An All-American last season, Raivenne Scott evened her season record at 3-3 with a 73.5, while Danielle Baker improved to 2-4 with a 70.5.

The Jacks return to action on Saturday, when they take on the host Hornets from Delaware State. The riding begins at 9 a.m. ET, 8 a.m. CT.