POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 17, 2009) -- After more than a month off from competition, the Vassar women's fencing team return to action this afternoon at Walker Field House and earned a split against Yale and Detroit Mercy. The Brewers opened with a 23-4 loss to Yale to open the meet and rebounded with a 25-2 win over Detroit Mercy.

Outstanding fencers on the day for the were sophomore Sophie Courser (Warner, NH) in the epee with a 4-1 record and senior Meryl Franklin (Chapel Hill, NC/East Chapel), also in the epee with a 3-2 mark.

Round 1 – Yale 23 - Vassar 4
Yale posted a dominant performance over Vassar. Yale fielded a strong foil squad which proved difficult. Vassar sophomore Jackie Kory (Martinez, CA/Horizons Home Study) lost two of her bouts at 4-5, but the squad went 0-9. In sabre senior Erica Seigneur (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills) also lost a pair of 4-5 bouts and Carlsen was able to win one bout. Epee was the most successful with three squad victories.

Round 2 – Bye

Round 3 – Vassar 25 – Detroit Mercy 2
The foil squad came alive going 9-0 behind 3-0 performances by Kory and junior Melissa Lee (Fountain Valley, CA/Fountain Valley), just returning from JYA. Epee and sabre did well with Courser and Franklin going undefeated.

The Brewers will next travel to Brown for the Northeast Conference Multimeet #2 at Brown on January 24.