PROVIDENCE, RI (January 26, 2013) – In the first competition of the new year, the Vassar College men's fencing team had a day of challenging Northeast Conference Match #2 bouts at Brown University on Saturday. The Brewers went 1-4 with the only team victory 17-10 over Tufts. Men's foil was undefeated against Tufts and also posted a 5-4 squad victory over MIT.

Individual performers of note on the day were Matt Steinschneider in foil with a 9-5 record and John Arden (8-7) and Zach Wilson (7-8) in sabre.

Vassar 1, Brown 26
Facing a tough Brown squad in the first round is not easy. Vassar's only win came from co-captain Tavish Pegram in epee.

Vassar 17, Tufts 10
The one positive to fencing Brown in the first round was that it prepared the Brewers for a solid effort against Tufts. Foil rolled at 9-0 with Alex Vastola, Steinschneider, and Giovanni Zaccheo all going 3-0. Sabre went 5-4 with Wilson at 3-0 and Arden at 2-1. Epee improved to 3-6.

Vassar 9, Boston College 18
Vassar sabre was close at 4-5 with Wilson and Arden at 2-1 each, but Steinschneider was the only foil to make much headway at 2-1. Tre Artis did have a nice win in the round, though. Tavish Pegram was 2-0 in epee to finish out the Vassar scoring.

Vassar 9, MIT 18
Foil had a squad victory in this round at 5-4. Steinschneider rolled at 3-0 and Vastola at 2-1. Sabre had another narrow loss at 4-5 with Wilson and Arden again both 2-1. Unfortunately, epee was blanked by MIT.

Vassar 4, Brandeis 23
Vassar had nothing left in the tank against Brandeis. Epee was winless again. Arden accounted for two wins in sabre and Steinschneider and Artis each got one in foil.

The Vassar men next compete at home in the Kenyon Gym on Saturday, February 2. That match is Senior Day and the Brewers will be facing Yale, Drew, and Hunter starting at 1:00 p.m..