Oct. 29, 2015
Gamecock sophomore Chloe Schmidt was named Most Outstanding Player on the flat Thursday after beating her Texas A&M opponent by 10 points.
COLLEGE STATION – No. 4 South Carolina suffered its first road loss of the season on Thursday, as the Gamecocks fell, 14-5, to No. 6 Texas A&M at the Hildebrand Equine Complex. The Gamecocks fall to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC play, while the Aggies improve to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in league play.
“We are a frustrated team right now,” South Carolina head coach Boo Major said. “We are having trouble making adjustments in the competition arena. We need to continue to work harder at home, make some mental adjustments and prepare for two very good teams in SMU and Baylor that we’ll face next week. Congratulations to Texas A&M, they deserved to win today.”
Thursday’s loss for the Gamecocks marks the first time since Oct. 3, 2014 that South Carolina has lost back-to-back meets.
The Aggies took control of Thursday’s meet early, winning 4-of-5 points in equitation over fences. After A&M won the first point of the meet, senior Samantha Kraus beat Rachael Hake, 82-80, to tie the score at one apiece. But the Aggies won the final three jumping points and never relinquished their lead.
In the western arena, both teams won a pair of horsemanship points. Junior Lindsey Slack knocked off Logan Pluhar, 69.5-66, and freshman Madison Thiel posted a 76-74 victory over Kaci Fisher.
In the hunt seat arena, the Aggies won 3-of-5 equitation on the flat points. Gamecock sophomore Chloe Schmidt picked up her first career Most Outstanding Player award when she defeated A&M’s Marlena Parker, 84-74. Senior Samantha Smith also won her flat point, knocking off Aggie rider Audrey Gallagher, 87-78.
Texas A&M won all five reining points on Thursday, giving the Aggies their third straight regular season victory over the Gamecocks in College Station.
South Carolina returns to action next weekend, when the Gamecocks return to Texas to compete against Baylor (Nov. 6) and Southern Methodist (Nov. 7).
South Carolina-Texas A&M Play-by-Play
SC-A&M
0-1 : Alex Desiderio defeats Samantha Smith, 85-84, on Carrera.
1-1 : Samantha Kraus defeats Rachael Hake, 82-80, on Reggie.
1-2 : Marlena Parker defeats Lizzie van der Walde, 83-81, on JJ.
1-3 : Haley Webster defeats Sydney Smith, 78-74, on Callisto.
1-4 : Rebekah Chenelle defeats Chloe Schmidt, 79-71, on Pepper.
1-5 : Avery Ellis defeats Bailey Mierzejewski, 71.5-69.5, on Abby.
1-5 : Abigail Pait and Carolyn Day tie, 74.5-74.5, on Allie.
2-5 : Lindsey Slack defeats Rachel Lucht, 69.5-66, on George.
2-6 : Rachel Lucht defeats Ashley Reichert, 77.5-76, on Ice Cube.
3-6 : Madison Thiel defeats Kaci Fisher, 76-64, on Thor.
3-7 : Logan Pluhar defeats Sarah Bouchard, 71.5-68, on Colonel.
3-8 : Alex Desidero defeats Raleigh Bacharach, 82-67, on Carlton.
3-9 : Sarah Kate Grider defeats Bridgett White, 69.5-66.5, on Nicky.
4-9 : Chloe Schmidt defeats Marlena Parker, 84-74, on August.
4-10 : Madison Bohman defeats Paisley Roberts, 68.5-67.5.
5-10 : Samantha Smith defeats Audrey Gallagher, 87-78, on Tom.
5-11 : Ashley Dotson defeats Makayla Clegg, 69-67, on Sailor.
5-12 : Anna Rea defeats Samantha Kraus, 76-75, on Pepper.
5-13 : Hannah Jechow defeats Makayla Clegg, 69-67, on Sailor.
5-14 : Hannah Williams defeats Lizzie van der Walde, 87-76, on Doc.
Final score – Texas A&M defeats South Carolina, 14-5.
