POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (December 8, 2008) -- The Vassar women's fencing team hosted some of the finest programs in the country over the weekend, fencing against Princeton, Harvard, Penn State, Temple, and New York University. Despite finishing 0-5 on the afternoon, head coach Bruce Gillman found solace with some impressive individual performances and two squad wins.

After a 5-1 start, the Brewers end the semester at 5-6. The Brewers will resume competition with a home meet against Yale and Detroit Mercy on January 17.

In the five team event, Gillman recognized outstanding performances by sophomore Sopie Courser (Warner, NH) who went 7-8 in epee competition, and fellow sophomore Julie Carlsen (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) who compiled a 7-8 record in the sabre.

Round 1 – Vassar 1 – Penn State 26

Carlsen was the only Vassar fencer to earn a victory against 2007 National Champion Penn State.

Round 2 – Vassar 12 – NYU 15

The Brewers fenced their best match of the afternoon against NYU, an improvement of the 7-20 loss last year. Epee won a resounding 7-2 victory behind an undefeated 3-0 performance from Courser as well as 2-1 from senior Molly Soiffer (Newton, MA/BB&N) and 2-0 from junior Jacinthe Sasson-Yenor (Jersey City, NJ/The Hudson School). Sabre reached a 5-4 mark with both Carlsen and senior captain Eric Seigneur (Azusa, CA/Azusa) going 2-1.

Round 3 – Vassar 6 - Temple 21

Sporting one of the finest programs in the country, it had been several years since Temple visited Vassar for competition. Courser and Carlsen had 2-1 records.

Round 4 – Vassar 5 – Harvard 22

Harvard was a formidable opponent. Sophomore Jackie Kory (Martinez, CA/Horizons Home Study) won one bout in foil and also managed a nice touch on Olympian Emily Cross.

Round 5 – Vassar 4 – Princeton 23

Senior Meryl Franklin (Chapel Hill, NC/East Chapel) registered one of Vassar's four wins in epee.