CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Haverford women's fencing team travelled to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) this past weekend to compete in the annual Sollée Invitational, named for the famed MIT fencing coach Eric Sollée, whose methods are outlined in Olympic champion Johann Harmenberg's book "Épée 2.0". 

 

On a team hampered with illnesses cutting into the roster, and fencing against some of the strongest and deepest teams in the Northeast, the Fords didn't notch any team or squad wins, the closest being a narrow 5-4 loss to MIT for the foilists. However several individuals stepped up to perform at a high level, with the sole women's sabriste, Aamina Dhar, getting wins against Duke, MIT, Brandeis, NJIT and Boston College, only dropping a bout to Brown in the last round of the loneliest day. Dhar was the only victor against Duke, preventing a sweep by the Blue Devils against the Fords. 

 

Epeeist Nina Hamilton was able to secure a win against Brown, also preventing a sweep by the Ivy powerhouse; the epee squad as a whole, benefitting from some advice given by alumni Lee Flaherty '12, had strong performances against Brandeis and Boston College. Hamilton and Dhar led their team with six wins each, and Sophie Gardiner was close with five wins in the foil, including two of three against Boston College and MIT.  First-years Julie Edelstein, in the epee, and Nina Chafee and Paige Copenhaver, in the foil, each chipped in a win apiece as well.

 

The Fords have a welcome weekend off coming up, followed by a MACFA tournament at Johns Hopkins on Sunday, Feb 12.

 

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Epee: 9-0

Foil: 9-0

Sabre: 8-1

 

E: 9-0

F: 5-4

S: 8-1

 

Brandeis def Haverford, 23-4

E: 6-3

F: 9-0

S: 8-1

 

E: 9-0

F: 8-1

S: 5-2

 

E: 6-3

F: 7-2

S: 7-2

 

E: 8-1

F: 9-0

S: 9-0