NEWARK, N.J. – The Haverford College men's and women's fencing teams capped the regular season Sunday with wins over Middle Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA) rivals Rutgers University and Drew University, as well as the College of William & Mary, Hunter College, and University of Maryland.
On the men's side, the only team to give the Fords a run for their money was Rutgers. Having taken the measure of Maryland and Hunter earlier in the season, the Fords used the rematch opportunities to gain valuable experience for their bench. Drew provided a warm-up for the starters, who handled the Rangers with by a 20-7 count. The match of the day came in the fourth round against host Rutgers, with hotly contested bouts in all three weapons. Scoring leaders for the men were Aaron Ruby in sabre, going 5-1. Foilist Andy Moore led that scoring with a 9-1 record; and co-captain Remy Olson posted a 9-1 mark in epee.
The women's team opened against William & Mary, dominating almost every bout, and sweeping the foil. In the second round, a tough but short-handed Rutgers team fought for every touch, but the mental strength of the Fords prevailed in almost every close-fought bout. Leading scorers on the day were foilist Katie Elbert and epeeists Anjali Baliga and Sarah Sofia, all undefeated at 6-0; sabrists Shannon Horn and Francesca Behling went 4-0.
The fencing teams enter the championship portion of the season over the next four weeks. The women travel to Stevens Institute of Technology for the Eastern Women's Fencing Conference Team Championships Sunday. Both teams will travel to New York University Sunday, Feb. 27 for the inaugural Weapon Squad National Championships.
Men's scores:
Haverford def. Maryland, 18-9; Sabre: 3-6, Epee: 6-3, Foil: 9-0
Haverford def. Hunter, 18-9; S: 5-4, E: 6-3, F: 7-2
Haverford def. Drew, 20-7; S: 7-2, E: 7-2, F: 6-3
Haverford def. Rutgers, 16-11; S: 4-5; E: 6-3, F: 6-3
Women's scores:
Haverford def. William & Mary, 26-2; Sabre: 8-1; Epee: 8-1; Foil, 9-0
Haverford def. Rutgers, 20-7; S: 7-2, E: 8-1, F: 5-4