POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 9, 2008) – Only a narrow five-point loss to a strong Rutgers team prevented the Vassar women's fencing team from going a perfect 6-0 at the annual Vassar Invitational, the kickoff to the dual match season. In all, the Brewers posted five impressive victories on the afternoon.

The Brewers will next compete on December 6 in a powerhouse match with Harvard, NYU, Penn State, Princeton and Sacred Heart.

Outstanding performances on the afternoon were turned in by sophomore Sophie Courser (Warner, NH) who went 16-1 in the epee, senior Erica Seigneur (Azusa, CA/Azusa) who went 13-2 in the sabre, sophomore Julie Carlsen (Rockaway, NY/Morris Hills), who went 14-1 in the sabre, senior Sadi Rebsch (Sleepy Hollow, NY/Sleepy Hallow), a 8-4 outing in the foil and sophomore Jackie Kory (Martinez, CA/Horizons Home Study), a 15-2 performer in the foil. Two freshman foilists Alia Heints (Pearland, TX/Awty International) and Christie Musket had notable results, going 5-1 and 6-0 respectively.

Round 1 – Vassar 24 - Marist 3

The foil and epee teams went 9-0. Sabre finished 6-3.

Round 2 – Vassar 15 – Drew 12

Two years ago, the Brewers lost to Drew 14-13. Despite some early challenges in the epee (going 4-5), the foil picked up the momentum, winning 6-3 with Kory going 3-0 and Rebsch finishing 2-1. Sabre hung on for a 5-4 victory.

Round 3 – Vassar 16 – Sacred Heart 11

Vassar lost to a strong SHU team last year at the Invitational. Epee again went 4-5, but foil did well with freshman Liz Ilechko, (Skillman, NJ/Rutgers Preparatory), Kory, and Rebsch all gong 2-1 to post a 6-3 mark Sabre also went 6-3 with both Seigneur and Carlsen undefeated.

Round 4 – BYE

Round 5 – Vassar 24 – Yeshiva 3

Vassar foil and epee again managed 9-0 performances. Sabre featured sophomore Domino Gehred- O'Connell (Fort Atkinson, WI/Fort Atkinson) winning both of her bouts and freshman walk-ons Vanora Estridge (New York, NY/Collegiate) and Jillian Scharr (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield Public) both winning bouts.

Round 6 – Vassar 11 – Rutgers 16

Foil and sabre were went 4-5 and 5-4 respectively in a hard fought loss.

Round 7 – Vassar 19 – CCNY 8

All three squads bounced back against CCNY, led by Courser's fifth 3-0 performance of the day. Freshman Veronica Weser (Sante Fe, NM/Academy for Technology and Classics) also went 2-0. Both foil and sabre has strong 6-3 rounds.