WALTHAM, Mass. – The Haverford College women's fencing team recently competed in the Sollee Invitational at Brandeis University. This past Saturday's Invitational allowed the Fords to continue to test their skills against the top teams in the Northeast Region.
Haverford's day was headlined by a conference victory against NJIT, 15-12. That victory against the NIWFA foe was led by the stellar play of epeeist Julie Petersen and sabriste Anna Neuheardt. Those two put the Fords in position to overtake the Highlanders with the help of several key contributors who stepped up in their respective weapons.
Petersen defeated NJIT's Julia Garcia, 5-2, to help key the team's victory. That win was Petersen's first of her career against Garcia, who was second at last year's NCAA National Championship and is NJIT's first female fencing All-American.
Neuheardt, a freshman, led all Haverford fencers on the day with a 13-5 record, while Petersen was close behind at 12-6. Petersen was undefeated against Brown and NJIT. Neuheardt was undefeated against NJIT and MIT.
Neuheardt's sabre squad mates were each able to also pull off a win against MIT, toppling the Engineers sabre squad by a 5-4 score. Freshman sabriste Emily Brown continued her tremendous improvement over the season, posting her best results to date with six wins that included an undefeated streak of three against NJIT. Sophomore Alexandra Morrison led the foil squad with eight wins on the day.
Women's fencing will next compete at the EWFC Championships. Set for Sunday, February 14, that championship will be hosted by Hunter College.
Haverford scores
Brown def. Haverford, 21-6
Epee: 6-3
Foil: 8-1
Sabre: 7-2
Haverford def. NJIT, 15-12
Epee: 4-5
Foil: 3-6
Sabre: 8-1
New York University def. Haverford, 21-6
Epee: 7-2
Foil: 8-1
Sabre: 6-3
Boston College def. Haverford, 23-4
Epee: 7-2
Foil: 8-1
Sabre: 8-1
MIT def. Haverford, 18-9
Epee: 7-2
Foil: 7-2
Sabre: 4-5
Brandeis def. Haverford, 19-8
Epee: 8-1
Foil: 5-4
Sabre: 6-3