Joselyne Malan
Posted: Nov 14, 2023
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Yesterday the women's varsity fencing team participated in the first team meet of the season at the Vassar Invitational, competing against six opponents and defeating two of them. Before taking down conference rival Yeshiva in style, 22-5, Haverford had a 14-13 triumph over Regional rivals Lafayette, demonstrating a return to competitive form and fantastic potential for the season.
The epee squad led the day with a 3-3 record, with wins not just against Lafayette and Yeshiva but also against a supposed powerhouse Tufts program, while foil stood strong with a win over Vassar to prove their mettle in the last round. The least experienced squad, sabre, still pulled in a respectable 13 wins overall, while gaining valuable experience to galvanize their development of first-year walk-on Annalise Sandrich, who had a win against Yeshiva. Sophomore walk-on Paige Copenhaver showed how hard work pays off with a win over Wellesley's Lauren Khoo, who had defeated the more experienced Fords foilists.
Epeeist Nina Hamilton and foilist Sophie Gardiner each delivered nine wins for their team, and the one-two punch of Rebecca Osbaldeston and Carter Wood in sabre yielded 6 wins apiece. Six wins was also the tally for foilist Petra Budavari, and for Nina Chafee, a foilist in disguise as an epeeist for the day, as well as for epeeist Joselyne Malan.
Perhaps the most impressive feat on the day was that Malan won five of her six victories by one touch, 5-4, demonstrating serious intestinal fortitude.
Haverford now has a roadmap through what will be a challenging season, and although EWFC rivals Wellesley and Tufts seem out of reach for now, it seems that with some adjustments in epee, Vassar could fall to the Fords at their next meeting. Haverford will next compete at their home meet, the D'Arnstein Invitational, on Saturday, December 9. Opponents will include Johns Hopkins, Maryland, Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, and Rowan.
Match Scores:
Wellesley def Haverford 21 - 6
Epee: 7-2
Foil: 6-3
Sabre: 8-1
Haverford def Lafayette 14 - 13
E: 6-3
F: 4-5
S: 4-5
Tufts def Haverford 21 - 6
E: 4-5
F: 9-0
S: 8-1
Haverford def Yeshiva 22 - 5
E: 8-1
F: 8-1
S: 6-3
Drew def Haverford 25 - 2
E: 9-0
F: 8-1
S: 8-1
Vassar def Haverford 19 - 8
E: 9-0
F: 4-5
S: 6-3