FELTON, Del. - The University of Minnesota Crookston equestrian team opened the 2023-24 season Friday, September 22 with a 15-1 loss to Delaware State University in NCEA and ECAC play. The Golden Eagles were guided by Alex Pfaffenbach (Sr., Appleton, Wis.), who won her point in Fences.

The Golden Eagles opened the season with an 0-1 mark, while Delaware State improved to 1-0 with the victory. 

Pfaffenbach defeated Victoria Croston, 81-76 on Tillie. In Fences, U of M Crookston also looked to a strong ride from Juliana Gullo (So., Itasca, Ill.), who fell narrowly 86-82 to Olivia Brown on Cici.

In Flat, the Golden Eagles were led by Gullo, who fell 63-60 to Croston on Denali. Gabriella Siefkes (Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo.) fell 68-60 to Maranda McCarthy, on Finnegan.

In Horsemanship, the Golden Eagles had strong rides in all four showcases. U of M Crookston's biggest loss was just 7.5 points. Marley Halse (Fr., Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) made her collegiate debut, and fell just 77.5-75. Ava Jo Glenn (Fr., Ennis, Texas) had a strong debut, and fell just 77-75. 

In Reining, U of M Crookston had another strong showing. Three Golden Eagles lost by a combined nine points. RaeAnna Danielson (Jr., Harris, Minn.) fell 73-71 to Estella Estus. Halse and Madison Wojcek (Fr., Bremerton, Wash.) each lost by 3.5 points.

The Golden Eagles next NCEA meet will be Friday, November 3 at ECAC foe South Dakota State University. One of the longest-standing rivalries for U of M Crookston.