NEW YORK, NY (February 7, 2013) -- The Vassar Women's fencing team took on its counterparts from the Big Apple on Thursday night, fencing in a challenging pair of dual matches against New York University and Columbia. The Brewers lost both, but the epee squad pieced together a 5-4 squad win against NYU and a credible 3-6 performance against Columbia.
Individual performers of note on the day were Caitlin Clevenger and Rachel Messbauer, both 3-3 on the night in epee.

Vassar 8, NYU 19
Tracy Bratt and Jillian Josimovich each picked up a win in sabre. Katie Leclair took one in foil. But the story of the night was the epee squad. They picked up a 5-4 squad win behind two victories each from Clevenger and Megan Lewis. Messabauer added the deciding win.

Vassar 4, Columbia 23
Bratt managed one win in sabre, but foil never got off the ground and was blanked in that round. The three epee wins came from Messbauer (2-1) and Clevenger (1-2). Clevenger's win came in overtime as time was running out with priority for her opponent, so it was extremely satisfying.

Now 10-18 on the season, the Vassar women next compete at Brandeis on Saturday, February 23 in the NEIFC Championships.