NEW HAVEN, CT (January 31, 2011) – The Vassar College women's fencing team had a great showing from its foil and sabre squads Monday evening against Yale, but success in those two weapon's wasn't enough to propel the Brewers to victory, falling to Yale, 16-11.

Now 24-6 on the season, Vassar travels to Wellesley on Sunday, February 6 for the third Northeast Fencing Conference multi-team match. The Brewers will face Sacred Heart, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Dartmouth.

“It is always tough going into the Yale fencing room with little time or space to warm up,” said head coach Bruce Gillman. “The atmosphere and some good fencing from the Yale team frustrated our epee squad, which up until the Yale match had been pretty unstoppable.”

Epee went 1-8. Only senior Sophie Courser was able to manage a victory against the strong Yale squad. According to Gillman, the Yale strategy was to slow each bout down. That tactic has Vassar fencing more aggressively, which “played right into Yale's hands,” explained Gillman.

Foil and sabre both went 5-4 against Yale. In foil, sophomore Katie Leclair was unbeaten in this round at 3-0. Senior Jackie Kory went 2-1. In sabre, senior Julie Carlsen and freshman Emma Telischi both had a great round at 2-1. Freshman Hallie Stotler was only one touch away from joining them, winning one bout and losing another 4-5.