Blythewood, S.C. -- University of Lynchburg's National Collegiate Equestrian Association team fell behind early on the flat and couldn't make up the deficit over fences Friday afternoon, dropping a narrow 5-3 decision to No. 10-ranked Delaware State at University of South Carolina's One Wood Farm.

DSU took the first three points of the match on the flat before freshman Emma Schweizer delivered a clutch 72-point ride atop Mack for Lynchburg's first point of the meet.

The Hornets fared much better over fences and made things interesting at the end. Schweizer earned 73 points on Steve Irwin to win her second point of the day on the fifth ride of the discipline, and freshman Fallyn Belcastro won another point with a 76-point jaunt on Redford to tie the meet with one ride left. DSU's Maranda McCarthy came up clutch, though, with a two-point victory on Tanner to win the meet.

The victory avenged Delaware State's October 28 loss to Lynchburg. The Hornets, ranked second in the NCEA's single-discipline rankings, will look to turn things around Saturday at 9 a.m. against host South Carolina.

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--LYN--