BROOKINGS, S.D. - In their first road match of the season, the Delaware State University equestrian team was defeated, 13-3, by defending Varsity Equestrian National Champion and No. 1 ranked Auburn University Saturday morning at South Dakota State University's DeHaan Equestrian Center.

Junior Alyssa Berfield (Fredericksburg, Va.) posted a team-high score of 79 on the afternoon in the Equitation over Fences event to earn a team point against Auburn's Melena Smith's 60-point ride.  The Tigers won the event, 3-1, with Quincy Hayes earning MVP.

Auburn swept the Hornets, 4-0, in the Equitation on the Flat with MVP going to Lindsay Portela.

In the Western discipline, Del State tied Auburn, 2-2, in the Reining event.  Junior Breann Huyett (Narvon, Pa.) won her matchup against Morgan Burns, 68.5 to 64.5, on horse Jerry.  Freshman Megan Marie Foley (Powell, Ohio) defeated her opponent, Jillian Fuller, by a score of 69.5 to 0 on Emmy.  Auburn also took MVP honors in Reining with Kirstin Hansen scoring a 71.5.

The Tigers swept the DSU in the Horsemanship event, 4-0.  Senior Brittni Collins (Denton, Md.) nearly defeated Katsy Leeman in their matchup, but Leeman squeaked by with a score of 70.5 to 70.

With the loss, the Hornets fall to 0-5 on the season.  They will take on host South Dakota State on Sunday at 9 a.m. Eastern time.

---DSU EQUESTRIAN---