HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College women's fencing team successfully defended its home turf on Saturday inside the Andy Kates Fencing Salle. The Fords opened their home schedule by claiming victories against Drew, Lafayette, and Rutgers.

The team's first match of the day was also its closest. However, with the help of a strong 6-3 record from its foil squad, Haverford pulled out a 16-11 win against Lafayette. The Fords also recorded hard-fought 5-4 wins in both epee and sabre against the Leopards.

During the second round of action, Haverford pulled away from Rutgers with identical 6-3 wins across all three weapons to double up the Scarlet Knights, 18-9. The Fords had their best results in the sabre and epee against Drew. They won eight of the nine bouts in sabre to go along with a 7-2 record in epee. A 5-4 win in foil made it a clean sweep of all three weapons in a 20-7 team victory.

Leading all fencers on the day was co-captain epeeist Julie Petersen. Petersen held a perfect 8-0 record as she sat out just one bout and was not hit more than two times by any of her opponents. Joining her in the undefeated ranks was freshman sabrist Anna Neuheardt, who finished 7-0. Sophomore Alexandra Morrison led the foil team with a 6-1 record. Other standouts from the day's action included sabrists Amanda Soled and Elisabeth Hawthorne as each was 6-3. Leila Braun added another winning record with a 5-3 mark in epee competition.

Women's fencing will return to action on Saturday, December 5 when the team hosts Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore during the Tri-Co Invitational inside the Andy Kates Fencing Salle.

Haverford Scores

Haverford def. Lafayette, 16-11
Foil: 6-3
Epee: 5-4
Sabre: 5-4

Haverford def. Rutgers, 18-9
Foil: 6-3
Epee: 6-3
Sabre: 6-3

Haverford def. Drew, 20-7
Foil: 5-4
Epee: 7-2
Sabre: 8-1