No. 2 Auburn Advances to NCEA Semifinal with 12-3 Win

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April 19, 2018

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WACO, Texas ââ'¬"The No. 2 Auburn equestrian team put together a strong showing Thursday afternoon, defeating No. 7 Baylor, 12-3, to advance to the 2018 NCEA Championship Semifinal. The Tigers will take on No. 6 TCU later in the day.

"We are riding very strong," head coach Greg Williams said. "The team's riding is good and the mindset is right. They just have to do what is in their control and we can keep rolling."

The Hunt Seat crew put together an outstanding showing, sweeping the Bears in both Equitation on the Flat and Equitation Over Fences.

The Flat corps swept Baylor to open competition, 4-0, as all scored above a 160. Junior Caitlin Boyle led all student-athletes in the match with a 168 in her win, upping her season total to 13. Classmate Ashton Alexander followed with a 161-146 victory, while junior Hayley Iannotti put together a 167-158 win for her team-leading 14th on the year. Freshman Taylor St. Jacques completed the sweep with a 167-153 win over Rachel Van Allen.

In Fences, Boyle once again opened with a strong performance, scoring another 168 to best her opponents 146 for her 12th victory of the year. Alexander put together a 163 to outscore Madison Day's 157 before St. Jacques wowed with a 170 in her win. Iannotti sealed the sweep with a 167, defeating Brittney Mirkov's 153.

Horsemanship picked up a pair of points for Auburn in the first half. Redshirt junior Kelsey Jung upped her win total to 12 on the year with a 144.5-137.5 victory over Katie Davis. Freshman Taylor Searles led the squad with 150.5 points on her ride, stretching her winning streak six.

Senior Alexa Rivard earned Auburn's first point in Reining, topping Charlotte Green, 141-137.5. The win was the Suwanee, Ga., product's 10th of the year. Junior Blair McFarlin followed with another 141 to take home her second-straight victory of the week. Freshman Terri-June Granger kicked off the event with a 140.5-140.5 tie.

#2 AUBURN 12, #7 BAYLOR 3
Equitation on the Flat
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Madison Day (BU), 168-150
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Brittney Mirkov (BU), 161-146
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Rachael Davis (BU), 167-158
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Rachel Van Allen (BU), 167-153

Equitation Over Fences
Caitlin Boyle (AU) def. Shannon Hogue (BU), 168-146
Ashton Alexander (AU) def. Madison Day (BU), 163-157
Taylor St. Jacques (AU) def. Abby Jorgensen (BU), 170-166
Hayley Iannotti (AU) def. Birttney Mirkov (BU), 167-153

Horsemanship
Kelsey Jung (AU) def. Katie Davis (BU), 144.5-137.5
Kaylee Mellott (BU) def. Deanna Green (AU), 150-138
Taylor Searles (AU) def. Charlotte Green (BU), 150.5-149.5
Abbi Demel (BU) def. Lauren Diaz (AU), 148.5-148

Reining
Terri-June Granger (AU) tied Carly Salter (BU), 140.5-140.5
Alexa Rivard (AU) def. Charlotte Green (BU), 141-137.5
Blair McFarlin (AU) def. Georgia Smith (BU), 141-137.5
Abbi Demel (BU) def. Betsy Brown (AU), 135.5-135

* - Denotes Most Outstanding Performer

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