Nov. 22, 2009
SMU-SDSU Scorecard 
WILMER (SMU) - The SMU equestrian team (1-3) turned in a dominating performance, defeating South Dakota State 9-2, Sunday in Wilmer, Texas. The game marked the first win for head coach Haley Schoolfield, as well as the first event SMU has hosted in its new facility, BuckBranch Ranch.
Marissa Djernes helped get the Mustangs off to a good start, scoring a 78 in the equitation over fences. She defeated her opponent Melissa Sjadeck of South Dakota State who had a score of 72. Lauren Lieberman turned in the best performance of any rider in the equitation over fences, with an 80, earning her MVP honors. Freshman Emily Gardner picked up her first career win, defeating Jackrabbit Victoria Pekak 78-70. Overall in the event SMU downed SDSU 5-1.
In the equitation on the flat, the Mustangs continued their superior riding, earning a 4-1 win in the event. Danielle Gersh led the charge for the home team, scoring an 80. That was enough to defeat her opponent Jenna Basgarden from SDSU by a resounding 17 points, 80-63. Maia Van Dyke turned in the high score during the flat, with an 82.
Besides the point total, SMU also showed domination in the raw score, owning almost an 80-point advantage, 909-832.
SMU will return to action on Jan. 30 against Baylor in Waco.
