STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – In the first matches since the Fords' returned to campus for their winter training, the Haverford College women's fencing team tested its skills against some of the toughest competition it will face all season. Preparing itself for teams and individuals the Fords may very well have to face in the NCAA Regionals and Championships, Haverford squared off with Division I Duke, Temple, Yale, Penn, North Carolina, and Penn State over the weekend at the Penn State Invitational.
Although unable to secure a team victory, several individuals shined on Sunday against the rugged competition. However, none shined brighter than first year phenom Hanna Kopits as she nearly managed a winning record with eight wins over her 18 bouts. The Fords' "A" foilist was 8-7 during the final five rounds of fencing, securing at least one bout in each of those matchups. She recorded two wins against Temple, Penn, and Penn State to highlight her efforts.
Fellow first year foilist Jia-Ming Tuan added three victories the foil squad. She tallied victories over Yale, Penn, and North Carolina throughout the afternoon. Sophomore Zuyi Wang closed the day strong for the foil lineup with victories over North Carolina and Penn State. Wang's rise through the day matched her squad's resurgence as the foilists secured three bout victories during the final three rounds of fencing, saving their best for last.
Anna Neuheardt led Haverford's sabrists with three wins on the afternoon. The sabre squad nearly upended North Carolina before being edged out by a 5-4 score. Neuheardt led those efforts with two victories against the Tar Heels while also collecting a win against Penn. Senior captain Alexandra Morrison joined a new look sabre squad as she made the transition from foil over the holiday break. She too had a win against the Tar Heels and showed no sign of inexperience in the weapon as she started the day with the squad's victory over Duke. Sabre regular Emily Brown also had a win against North Carolina in the near weapon squad victory.
Each of Haverford's epeeists won one bout on the day. Katie Bradley got her first victory against Temple while Lauren Pronger followed that up with a victory over Yale. Co-captain Amanda Soled lifted the epee lineup with a win in the opening round against Duke while first year Valentina Zavala-Arbelaez recorded her victory against Penn.
Women's fencing continues its tough January schedule next Saturday as the Fords travel to Penn for the Philadelphia Invitational which is set to get underway at 8:30 a.m.
Team Scores
Duke 25, Haverford 2
Epee: 8-1
Foil: 9-0
Sabre: 8-1
Temple 24, Haverford 3
Epee: 8-1
Foil: 7-2
Sabre: 9-0
Yale 24, Haverford 3
Epee: 8-1
Foil: 7-2
Sabre: 9-2
Penn 22, Haverford 5
Epee: 8-1
Foil: 6-3
Sabre: 6-3
North Carolina 20, Haverford 7
Epee: 9-0
Foil: 6-3
Sabre: 5-4
Penn State 24, Haverford 3
Epee: 9-0
Foil: 6-3
Sabre: 9-0
Team Standings
1. Penn State (7-0)
2. Columbia (4-2)
3. Temple (3-2)
4. Yale (3-3)
5. Duke (2-3)
5. Penn (2-3)
7. North Carolina (2-4)
8. Haverford (0-6)
Following bouts did not occur: Haverford vs. Columbia, Duke vs. North Carolina, Duke vs. Temple, Temple vs. Penn, Yale vs. Penn