POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (November 23, 2009) -- The Vassar College women's fencing team went 3-0 at the first annual Hudson River Fencing Invitational, topping teams from Marist, New Paltz and Bard.  The event previously known as the River Rat was run annually at Vassar roughly seven years ago, and multi-team local meet may become a staple of the Brewers' schedule.

Prior to the meet, the fencing program honored its seniors: Melissa Lee, Jacinthe Sasson-Yenor, Emilia Mendieta, and Ariel Hulley for their service to the team. Plaques were presented to the seniors by the Athletics Department.

A bevy of fencers had outstanding performances in the sweep, including: freshman Katharine Sweeney (8-0 in the foil), sophomore Elizabeth Ilechko (7-0 in the foil),  sophomore Alia Heintz (6-1 in the foil), sophomore Brooke Schieffer (5-1 in the sabre), sophomore Vanora Estridge (4-2 in the sabre), freshman Tracy Bratt (3-1 in the sabre), freshman Caitlin Clevenger (4-0 in the epee), freshman Victoria Weiss (2-0 in the epee) and sophomore #Veronica Weser (2-0 in the epee).

Round 1 – Vassar 23 – Marist 4
Vassar and Marist have fenced annually for the last few years. Although the Marist sabre squad won three bouts Schieffer was undefeated at 3-0. Vassar foil went 9-0 behind a 3-0 performance from Sweeney and epee went 8-1 led by Clevenger and Mendieta at 2-0 each.

Round 2 – BYE (RPI did not field a women's team)

Round 3 – Vassar 27- New Paltz 0
New Paltz has a very young and growing. The Hawks fielded only a two person foil squad and Sweeney, Ilechko, and Heintz all were 2-0 against them.

Round 4 – Vassar 21 – Bard 6
Bard head coach Hope Konecny initiated this event by requesting a scrimmage. After a successful meeting between the two schools, the teams developed the dual match format. The other four schools also expressed interest, creating the Invitational. Bard fielded a full squad of men and Vassar took them all on with foil going 8-1, epee 7-2, and sabre providing the most challenge, winning three bouts.

Round 5 – BYE – Albany (did not filed a women's team)

The Brewers will face stiff competition in their next meet, traveling to Harvard on November 29 to fence against  Harvard, Princeton, New York University, North Carolina, Penn State, and Sacred Heart.