#3 Charleston Faces #2 Dartmouth in NCEA Semifinals
3/31/2026 6:30:00 PM | Equestrian
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Three-seeded College of Charleston equestrian will face No. 2 seeded Dartmouth in the Semifinals of the 2026 NCEA Single Discipline Championships April 17-18 at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Fla.
Competing in just its second season in NCEA Single Discipline, the Cougars will once again head to Ocala to compete for a national title. The three seed last year, Charleston defeated No. 2 Sweet Briar to advance to the national championship, where it faced the Big Green.
"We are honored and excited to land three seed in the NCEA Single Discipline rankings and to receive an invitation back to the NCEA national championships," said head coach Natasha Vitkovic. "It'll surely be another exciting First Round against our rival, Dartmouth. I have full confidence in our team and coaching staff that we'll be fully prepared for this year's rematch. We have remained focused on the long game; peeking at the right time and on the right occasion."
The Cougars enter the tournament with a 6-5 overall record, earning a pair of victories against No. 1 teams in the month of Feb. CofC took down Dartmouth, 6-4, Feb. 15, before defeating Lynchburg Feb. 27 by a score of 7-3. Charleston later became the No. 1 team in the nation, the first occurrence in school history.
At the ECAC Single Discipline Championship, the Cougars garnered a plethora of awards. Junior Lainie Rubin and senior Maddi Cardelli were tabbed the Flat Rider and Fences Rider of the Year, respectively, while Hope Hewitt picked up Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
Rubin also collected ECAC All-Conference and All-Tournament Team in the flat. Cardelli and junior Maddi Cardelli took home All-Conference in fences while senior Olivia Welsh was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.
With a win versus Dartmouth, Charleston would face the winner of No. 1 Lynchburg and No. 4 Sweet Briar.
For complete coverage of Charleston equestrian, follow us on Instagram (@cofcequestrian).
Competing in just its second season in NCEA Single Discipline, the Cougars will once again head to Ocala to compete for a national title. The three seed last year, Charleston defeated No. 2 Sweet Briar to advance to the national championship, where it faced the Big Green.
"We are honored and excited to land three seed in the NCEA Single Discipline rankings and to receive an invitation back to the NCEA national championships," said head coach Natasha Vitkovic. "It'll surely be another exciting First Round against our rival, Dartmouth. I have full confidence in our team and coaching staff that we'll be fully prepared for this year's rematch. We have remained focused on the long game; peeking at the right time and on the right occasion."
The Cougars enter the tournament with a 6-5 overall record, earning a pair of victories against No. 1 teams in the month of Feb. CofC took down Dartmouth, 6-4, Feb. 15, before defeating Lynchburg Feb. 27 by a score of 7-3. Charleston later became the No. 1 team in the nation, the first occurrence in school history.
At the ECAC Single Discipline Championship, the Cougars garnered a plethora of awards. Junior Lainie Rubin and senior Maddi Cardelli were tabbed the Flat Rider and Fences Rider of the Year, respectively, while Hope Hewitt picked up Assistant Coach of the Year honors.
Rubin also collected ECAC All-Conference and All-Tournament Team in the flat. Cardelli and junior Maddi Cardelli took home All-Conference in fences while senior Olivia Welsh was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.
With a win versus Dartmouth, Charleston would face the winner of No. 1 Lynchburg and No. 4 Sweet Briar.
For complete coverage of Charleston equestrian, follow us on Instagram (@cofcequestrian).
Players Mentioned
On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics: Angelo Anastopoulo, Head Women's Tennis Coach
Wednesday, April 15
Cougars Uncaged Episode 8: Alex Lyon
Monday, April 13
On the Prowl with Charleston Athletics: Chad Holbrook, Baseball
Wednesday, April 08
John Groce Introductory Press Conference 4/1/26
Friday, April 03
