FAIRFIELD, CT (December 8, 2013) – The Vassar College men's fencing team challenged three of the top four teams in the nation Sunday, battling but falling in all five of its matches in action from the Sacred Heart Tournament.

                  The Brewers (8-9) started the afternoon with a 20-7 loss to New York University, though the men's foil and sabre groups had solid performances. Senior Matt Steinschneider (Fairfield, CT/Greens Farms Academy) went 2-1 against the Violets in foil, while each of the sabre fencers picked up one victory apiece.

                  Against No. 4 Harvard University, the Brewers dropped a 26-1 decision, with the one win coming from freshman Ry Farley (Pasadena, CA/Waverly School) in epee. Vassar would then take on No. 1 Penn State University, with Farley and Roberto Maicocco (Springfield, IL/Sacred Heart-Griffin) earning a win in epee.

                  In the fourth match of the contest, the Brewers took on No. 3 Princeton University, and Steinschneider again was stellar. The senior foilist picked up two wins against the Tigers, and Maiocco added another triumph for Vassar. In the final match of the afternoon, VC took on Stevens and dropped a score of 17-10. Steinschneider earned two more wins, while Farley added two victories as well.

                  The sabre group against the Ducks was the only group to win a set all day, as Zachary Wilson (Rochester, NY/Allendale Columbia School) and Elam Coalson (River Forest, IL/Oak Park & River Forest) each posted a pair of bout victories. Senior sabre fencer Kenny Lee (Whitestone, NY/Stuyvesant) and junior foilist Tre Artis (Jamaica, NY/Benjamin Cardozo) also registered wins against Stevens.

                  On the afternoon, Steinschneider led all Brewer fencers with six bout wins, with Farley right behind with a solid 5-7 record. Wilson and Coalson each chalked up three victories as well for the Brewers. For the year, Steinschneider and Farley are neck-and-neck for the team lead in wins, with the senior foil fencer leading the rookie epee competitor by two, 36-34.

                  The Brewers are off for the rest of the semester, returning to competition Saturday, January 18 for the Cleveland State Invitational held in Cleveland, Ohio.