SWEET BRIAR, Va. — The Sacred Heart equestrian team opened its two-show weekend in National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) action on Friday afternoon, showing strong but ultimately falling to No. 1 Sweet Briar College, 6-4. 
 
In Fences, the Pios claimed one of the five points up for grab as Kylie Hwalek took a 77-75 win on Hemingway after the seventh rider. Macayla Sousa earned SHU's highest score in the event, narrowly falling to SBC's Katherine Atherton 82-78. SBC took the remaining three points in Fences to take a 4-1 lead heading into the Flat portion. 
 
The Pioneers climbed back in the Flat, taking three of the five available points to conclude the show. Carina Muratore earned SHU's highest score in the event, posting a decisive 82-69 victory over SBC's Paige Kennedy on Delilah. After Emma Grimes picked up SHU's second point of the event with a 77-73 win over the Vixens Wyette Felton on Aate, Hwalek grabbed her fourth-consecutive Flat win, dispatching SBC's Emmy Longest 80-73 on Stan while earning "Most Outstanding Performer" honors in Flat to take SHU's final point of the afternoon as the Pios fell, 6-4. 
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action on Saturday, February 17, taking on No. 2 University of Lynchburg. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.