POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (January 21, 2013) – The Vassar College men's and women's fencing teams travel to Providence this weekend for the first conference action in the Northeast Conference Match #2 on Saturday, January 26.  The Brewers will fence Boston College, Brandeis, Brown, MIT, Smith, and Tufts.

“Although our conference is a group of very strong schools, we are able to compete well with them,” said head coach Bruce Gillman.

The Brewers are looking to shake off the rust from break and put strong performances on the board, with at least one win from the men's team and two from the women's.

In the 2011 season, the men's and women's teams were combined Northeast Conference Champions, with the women taking the title, and the men finishing tied for runner-up.

The Scouting Report

Match Time:  Saturday January 26, 2013 at 10 a.m.

Place: Brown University in Providence, RI

Vassar Women's Fencing | Vassar Men's Fencing

Vassar Women's Notes: The Brewers enter the meet with a 6-10 record.  Senior captains Katie LeClair in foil and Caitlin Clevenger in epee are looking to put themselves into contention for Northeast Conference Player of the Year consideration with strong showings this weekend. LeClair and Clevenger both had outstanding performances against some of the nation's most elite fencing programs at the Vassar Multi-Meet on December 1, finishing 9-9 and 7-9 on the day, respectively.  LeClair leads foils with a winning 24-17 record on the season, and Clevenger leads eppe with a winning 19-14 record.  In sabre, senior Tracy Bratt leads with an 18-24 record.

Vassar Men's Notes: The Brewers enter the meet with an 8-8 record. In epee, senior Tavish Pegram is also in pursuit of the Northeast Conference Player of the Year. Pegram held his own at the Vassar Multi-Meet on December 1, finishing 8-5 on the day against an elite group of fencers.  He holds a 19-9 record for the season. Junior John Arden leads the sabre team with a 24-14 record. In foil, senior Alex Vastola leads with a 17-21 record.

Next Up: The Brewers return home to Kenyon Gym for Senior Day on Saturday, February 2 at 1 pm.  The women will face Yale, Queens, Drew and Hunter.  The men will face Yale, Drew and Hunter.

Coach: Vassar is coached by Bruce Gillman, who has been with Vassar since the 2005-06 season.  He is a member of the United States Fencing Association and NCAA Fencing Committee.