Ocala, FL — The State University of New York at New Paltz NCEA equestrian team came up just short in its opening round matchup against Sweet Briar College Friday at the World Equestrian Center.
 
"Getting the opportunity to compete here in Ocala at WEC has been such an amazing experience," said Hawks coach Helaina Riccardi. "I feel blessed to be able to make it to a national championship with such a small team and to be able to do it here in a world class facility makes it even more extraordinary."
 
SUNY New Paltz had never defeated the Vixens in any of their four previous matchups, but nearly knocked off the top seed in the first round in the program's first ever national championship appearance.
  "To tie with the top seed team in our first appearance at nationals was a huge accomplishment," Riccardi said. "The girls worked really hard to get here and it was great to see the hard work pay off with this being the closest score against Sweet Briar." 
 
The Hawks dominated on fences and took a 3-1 lead with Alanna Ryan, Brynley Smith and Seraphina Morreale winning its matchups in the event. Ryan edged the Vixens' Emmy Longest, 196-193 riding Cartoon, while Smith defeated Paige Kennedy by seven riding Rico, 228-221. Morreale scored 236.5 to easily defeat Britt Larson-Jackson (222), as they rode Mabel.
 
SUNY New Paltz struggled to duplicate the same results on flat, as Ryan was the only victory in the event as she defeated Kacie Freeburg, 219-215 on Swank.
 
With the two teams all square at 4-4, the winner was determined by total raw score with Sweet Briar earning the tight victory after recording 2,951.5 points to the Hawks' 2,801, which officially put an end to the Hawks' magical 2021-22 campaign. 
 
"Words can't express how proud I am of this team's resilience throughout all of the changes in our program and their ability to come together and support each other," Riccardi added. "This really shows what teamwork is all about."

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