NORWALK, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University equestrian team put up a fight in its season-debut National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) contest but could not overcome an early deficit, falling to #3 Dartmouth, 6-4, on Saturday. 
 
Fences proved to be a tough task for the Pioneers as Kylie Hwalek grabbed the lone point for the Pioneers with an 87 on Torch, defeating Dartmouth's Chloe Terestchenko who scored a 78. Hwalek's score was the highest of any rider in the Fences portion of the competition. Emma Grimes had a strong showing for SHU with an 83 on Foxy but was bested by Kileigh Van Ness who grabbed an 84 as the final rider in Fences. Dartmouth jumped out to a 4-1 lead with wins on Foxy, Remi, Kodac and Taj to come within two points of victory. 
 
SHU claimed the back half of the draw in the Flat, allowing the Pioneers the last ride of the afternoon. Riding sixth, Emma Grimes claimed a win on Charlie, scoring a 72 while Carina Muratore picked up a slim victory on Alfie after Terestchenko's score of 72 could not best the Muratore's 73. Dartmouth claimed its first point in the Flat with Cassidy Exner grabbing a 78 on solo before Hwalek made things interesting with her 83 on Oreo having defeated Samantha Takacs' 74. Coming down to the last rider, Reagan Waggoner's 86 on Viv was close to pushing the Pios to a tie, but was not enough to best Riley Dickman's 91 as Dartmouth eventually claimed the show by a score of 6-4. 
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action in the NCEA format on Sunday, November 3, hosting No. 2 College of Charleston at Silvermine Farm in Norwalk, Conn. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.