Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State
New Mexico State
Aggies Ride Past Fresno State
10/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Equestrian
By: Kimberly Fisher
kimfisher@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
WACO, Texas - The Fresno State equestrian team fell 9-7 to No. 9 New Mexico State on the opening day of the annual Willis Invitational. The `Dogs will take the reins once more at the Willis Family Equestrian Center on Saturday to complete competition against the University of Tennessee-Martin.
"I was disappointed with how many mistakes we made today," head coach Eric Hubbard said. "We are looking to eliminate the errors against UT-Martin tomorrow."
The four-team Willis Invitational features host school No. 3 Baylor, No. 9 New Mexico State, Tennessee-Martin and No. 5 Fresno State. After day one, the Bears defeated the Skyhawks 14-2 and garnered all four Most Outstanding Player honors while Fresno State was topped 9-7 by the Aggies.
The team opened Friday's action with Equitation Over Fences where the Aggies gained an early 3-1 lead while sophomore Paige Pastorino earned the `Dogs lone point, scoring an 83. Next, Taylor Brown helped Fresno State to its only point in Reining with a score of 61.5 over New Mexico State's 52.
At the conclusion of flat, New Mexico State was unofficially winning 8-4 with Horsemanship left as the final event. Sierra Swaffar (75) and Kylina Chalack (64) defeated their opponents in Equitation on the Flat as the two programs tied 2-2.
The `Dogs showcased strong rides in the final event against New Mexico State, topping the Aggies 3-1 in Horsemanship. Taylor Dixon (75), Taeya Harle (73) and Rachel Williams (74.5) each earned their respective point.
Overall, Pastorino led the team in the Hunt Seat division with a high score of 83 over fences and Dixon had a team-best score of 75 in Horsemanship on the Western side. The Bulldogs claimed Most Outstanding Player accolades in all four events - Pasterino (Equitation Over Fences), Swaffar (Equitation on the Flat), Williams (Horsemanship) and Brown (Reining).
The Bulldogs opened competition against UT-Martin on Friday and will return to action tomorrow to faceoff in the remaining events, along with a No. 3 Baylor versus No. 9 New Mexico State matchup.
Fresno State remains No. 5 in the latest national rankings, as announced by the National Collegiate Equestrian Association on Oct. 6. The Bulldogs own a 1-2 record heading into the final day of the invitational, looking to rebound with a victory over UT-Martin on Saturday.
Last week, the Bulldogs led No. 1 Georgia 8-6 heading into the final event before falling 12-8 to the undefeated national leader on Oct. 2. Fresno State opened Saturday's action tied 4-4 with Delaware State, and topped the Hornets 9-7, splitting opening weekend 1-1.
Up next, Fresno State will take a one week break from competition before returning to its home dirt at the Student Horse Arena (Oct. 23-24), hosting No. 9 New Mexico State and No. 7 Texas A&M. Since 2006, the Bulldog equestrian team owns a 5-4 record in home openers.
Results against New Mexico State:
Equitation Over Fences
Samantha Perlman (78) defeated Kylina Chalack (73) - New Mexico State
Chelsea Brady (73) defeated Alexandra Dirickson (45) - New Mexico State
Paige Pastorino (83) defeated Elizabeth Solomon (80) - Fresno State
Cori Cromwell (66) defeated Danielle Schneider (64) - New Mexico State
Equitation on the Flat
Kylina Chalack (64) defeated Karianna Knezevich (63) - Fresno State
Chelsea Brady (74) defeated Genna Fogelberg (66) - New Mexico State
Cori Cromwell (74) defeated Danielle Schneider (71) - New Mexico State
Sierra Swaffar (75) defeated Elizabeth Solomon (68) - Fresno State
Reining
Taylor Brown (61.5) defeated Haley Newkirk (52) - Fresno State
Jaimie Storey (64.5) defeated Alysa Frias (63.5) - New Mexico State
Hallie Padilla (67) defeated Kara Gustafson (63) - New Mexico State
Kimmy Ferrante (70) defeated Kayli Gobeli (60.5) - New Mexico State
Horsemanship
Morgan Matzdorff (72) defeated Taylor Brown (64) - New Mexico State
Taylor Dixon (75) defeated Katlynn Crine (73.5) - Fresno State
Taeya Harle (73) defeated Rianna Storey (70.5) - Fresno State
Rachel Williams (74.5) defeated Hallie Padilla (71.5) - Fresno State
Most Outstanding Players
Sierra Swaffar - Equitation on the Flat
Paige Pastorino - Equitation Over Fences
Rachel Williams - Horsemanship
Taylor Brown - Reining
NCEA National Team Rankings (Oct. 6):
1. Georgia (3-0)
2. South Carolina (2-0)
3. Baylor (0-0)
4. Auburn (1-0)
5. Fresno State (1-1)
6. Oklahoma State (1-0)
7. Texas A&M (0-1)
8. TCU (1-1)
9. New Mexico State (1-0)
10. SMU (0-3)
"Be Bold!" - Follow the `Dogs on social media via Twitter (@FresnoStateEQ), Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
