NEW YORK - The Haverford College women's fencing team competed Sunday in the EWFC (Eastern Women's Fencing Conference) Team Championships at Hunter College in Manhattan.
Led by the first-place sabre squad, the Fords placed third behind Johns Hopkins University and Stevens Institute of Technology. Edged out by the Ducks and the Blue Jays, in tense, last-second decisions, Haverford registered decisive victories over Drew University, host Hunter, City College of New York and Yeshiva University.
Sabriste Shannon Horn led her squad to the EWFC sabre squad title with a spotless 12-0 record on the day. The young sabre squad showed immeasurable improvement over the season under Horn's tutelage, and came into its own by claiming the 2014 first-place trophy. This marks the first time since 2011 that Haverford has won a weapon squad trophy at the EWFC championships. The Fords last won the overall trophy in 2009.
Stepping up in a big way for the sabristes were junior Leslie Tjing (8-7) and sophomore Elisabeth Hawthorne (5-10), who had not fenced previously to coming to Haverford. Freshmen sabristes Sofia Tieze (5-2) and Diana Schoder (3-0), both foil fencers in high school, showed their adaptability and poise in transitioning to the more aggressive sabre actions.
Epeeist and co-captain Sarah Sofia, Haverford's nomination for EWFC Fencer of the Year, was also undefeated on the day, with a perfect 16-0 score while squadmate Anjali Baliga went 10-3.
Sophomore Leila Braun stepped into the spotlight for the foil squad, with a 13-4 record on the day, including a standout win over Johns Hopkins' Jackie Heath. Braun's mentor, senior co-captain Katie Elbert, stepped aside in several matches for sophomore walk-on Julie Ta (7-4), an exceptional athlete who had not fenced before attending Haverford.
The Fords will compete next Sunday in Hoboken, N.J., as Stevens hosts the EWFC individual championships.
Haverford def. Drew, 25-2
Epee: 9-0
Foil: 9-0
Sabre: 7-2
Stevens def. Haverford, 15 -12
E: 6-3
F: 5-4
S: 4-5
Haverford def. Hunter, 18-9
E: 8-1
F: 6-3
S: 4-5
Johns Hopkins def. Haverford, 15-12
E: 4-5
F: 7-2
S: 4-5
Haverford def. CCNY, 18-9
E: 7-2
F: 5-4
S: 6-3
Haverford def. Yeshiva, 26-1
E: 8-1
F: 9-0
S: 9-0