HAVERFORD, Pa. – Both the Haverford College men's and women's fencing squads posted unbeaten, 4-0, marks Saturday at the Haverford Invitational hosted by the Fords in Alumni Field House.
Haverford opened against Middle Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA) rival Lafayette College and established the tone for the day as the men dominated the bouts, 23-4. On the women's side things were a closer as a couple of forfeits from an understaffed Lafayette squad helped Haverford rack up a 19-8 finish.
The men's team was pushed a little harder in it's next match-up by William & Mary but came out on top, 18-9. They took a bye the next round as the women defeated a young Bryn Mawr squad, 24-3.
The much-anticipated match-up with Swarthmore came in the fourth round and the motivated Fords out-dueled the Garnett in front of a large, rowdy and enthusiastic crowd. The men rolled to a 23-4 triumph, while the women took command with a 22-5 victory.
In the final round of the day, the Fords faced off against the defending United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs (USACFC) champions from the University of Florida. The visitors were no match for the Scarlet and Black, however, who skinned the Gators 23-4 in the women's bouts and 25-2 in the men's. "We were really happy that our starters cleared the way so well in the first bouts, setting the stage for our newer and less experienced fencers to succeed, " said head coach Christopher Spencer. "The intensity, focus, and team support that we will need later this season are all there."
The Fords will put those qualities to the test when they travel to Brandeis on Dec. 5th, to face Division III rivals MIT and Brandeis, as well as top Ivy schools Brown, and, for the first time in decades, Yale.
Men's Scores
Haverford def. Lafayette, 23-4 Foil: 9-0, Epee: 7-2, Sabre: 7-2
Haverford def. William & Mary, 18-9 F: 8-1, E: 5-4, S: 5-4
Haverford def. Swarthmore, 23-4 F: 7-2, E: 9-0, S: 7-2
Haverford def. Florida, 25-2 F: 8-1, E: 9-0, S: 8-1
Women's Scores
Haverford def. Lafayette, 19-8 Foil: 4-5, Epee: 9-0, Sabre: 6-3
Haverford def. Bryn Mawr, 24-3 F: 9-0, E: 6-3, S: 9-0
Haverford def. Swarthmore, 22-5 F: 8-1, E: 8-1, S: 6-3
Haverford def. Florida, 23-4 F: 9-0, E: 7-2, S: 7-2